A Declaration of War?

When Pei Jiaqian returned home, Ye Qingpu was sitting before the floor-to-ceiling windows with a cup of coffee in hand.

"Big brother, I'm back~"

After setting his car keys by the entryway, Pei Jiaqian carried several large bags over and crouched beside Ye Qingpu.

The moment the electronic lock clicked open, Ye Qingpu had already turned his head. He looked at the person crouching beside him with smiling eyes.

Like a large dog.

So adorable.

"What did you buy?"

Seeing all the bags, Ye Qingpu asked.

"Some vegetables, snacks, and fruit."

Pei Jiaqian answered.

"You went out just to buy these?"

"Not exactly. I just picked these up while I was out." Pei Jiaqian smiled mysteriously and pulled a small box from his pocket.

"Here."

Ye Qingpu was somewhat surprised when he saw the logo on the box.

"Rings?"

"Yes. The custom couple rings we ordered last time. The store messaged me to pick them up."

Pei Jiaqian smiled gently, opened the box, and held it before Ye Qingpu.

The two gold rings had a novel design, reflecting tiny specks of light.

Ye Qingpu set down his coffee, took out one ring, and held it in the air, looking at his lover through the little circle.

"Big brother, put it on for me."

Pei Jiaqian tilted his head up slightly and held out his left hand.

Ye Qingpu took his hand and gently slid the ring onto it.

It was a little too large, probably because he had lost weight again these past two days.

He rubbed the thin, bony hand with some heartache.

"Thank you for proposing to me, big brother. I accept."

Pei Jiaqian said it seriously. He took out the other ring and earnestly placed it on Ye Qingpu's middle finger.

"Does big brother want to marry me too? Do you want to marry me? Do you want a home that belongs to us?"

"What are you saying..." The corners of Ye Qingpu's eyes turned crimson.

"I want to marry big brother. I want to marry big brother, and I want a home that belongs to us."

"You really know how to say sweet things to make people happy. Who did you learn that from?"

Ye Qingpu chuckled.

"I taught myself."

Pei Jiaqian rested his chin on Ye Qingpu's lap and quietly looked up at the person whose smile was so beautiful.

"Then you're quite smart."

"I'm not smart. I'm love-brained."

At that, Ye Qingpu laughed aloud.

The next few days passed without incident.

It was just that Ye Qingpu had to return to work at the company. Without even thinking about it, he knew Pei Louxuan had made a move.

Ye Qingpu had no intention of thanking him. After all, it was what he should have done.

When Pei Jiaqian pushed Ye Qingpu into the office, the employees all exchanged looks.

"No... why did you come to the company with me...?"

Ye Qingpu was somewhat helpless.

"Because I want to be with big brother."

Pei Jiaqian removed his mask and carried him to the office chair.

Just as Ye Qingpu turned on the computer, the assistant entered carrying a huge stack of documents.

"Boss, Young President Pei."

After putting down the documents, the assistant greeted them politely. His boss and the Young President Pei next door had caused quite a stir lately; everyone in Harbor City knew the two were together.

"Looks like we'll be busy."

Ye Qingpu smiled helplessly and took his glasses from the drawer.

"Um... Boss, there's something..."

The assistant hesitated.

"Go ahead."

Ye Qingpu cast him a faint glance.

"Wang... Wang Jing from next door is dead."

The moment the assistant finished speaking, he met Ye Qingpu's shocked gaze.

"Dead?"

Ye Qingpu's hand paused over the keyboard.

"Yes. The police said they recovered his clothes from the river. The fish had eaten most of the body."

The assistant answered.

Beside them, Pei Jiaqian was reclining on the sofa and flipping through Ye Qingpu's solo magazine. His eyes flickered, and a trace of disdain curled at his lips.

"Any leads? It couldn't have been an accident, right?"

Ye Qingpu leaned back, looking thoughtful.

"He offended too many people before. The police are currently..." The assistant trailed off again.

"Listing me as a suspect?"

Ye Qingpu was speechless, though he could understand it.

It wasn't as though he didn't know Wang Jing had been released a few days ago. He had thought Wang Jing had gone somewhere to lie low, but it turned out he was dead...

That was rather unexpected.

Wang Jing had money and influence in Harbor City, and bodyguards accompanied him whenever he went out. What sort of person could kill him without a sound?

"I heard Wang Jing had gotten involved with the underground trade before and fell out with them."

Pei Jiaqian chimed in.

"How did you know?"

Ye Qingpu asked.

"It's trending. It was just released."

Smiling, Pei Jiaqian waved the phone in his hand before walking over and handing it to Ye Qingpu.

Ye Qingpu browsed through it, returned the phone, and sighed to himself.

"He deserved to die."

Just as Pei Jiaqian took back his phone, a message alert sounded. He glanced at it without changing expression.

"The message has been released."

"Things are developing according to our expectations."

"The spy who stole the laboratory samples has also exposed a flaw. Before long, we can close the net."

A new message popped up, showing an unfamiliar number.

Putting away his phone, Pei Jiaqian asked with a smile, "Big brother, I want to go to the convenience store. Is there anything you want me to buy?"

"Get me an iced Americano downstairs."

Ye Qingpu nodded.

"Okay."

Pei Jiaqian replied, pulled up his mask, and left the office.

As they watched the intimidating man enter the elevator, the employees at their desks huddled together and began whispering.

"How exactly did our boss get won over?"

"I met Young President Pei once at a cocktail party before. He seemed pretty friendly."

"And during that team-building event, Young President Pei was totally a kind-hearted, sunny, cheerful big boy~"

"But don't you think it's strange? Young President Pei is an Alpha, but he doesn't smell like pheromones."

"Really? I want to get close and sniff him carefully in his arms~"

"That's an adults-only thing to say. Go away first."

"Boss is so fierce. Young President Pei has some nerve."

"Uh... don't you think... Young President Pei looks even fiercer?"

After going downstairs, Pei Jiaqian did not go to the so-called convenience store. Instead, he got directly into a black luxury car parked by the roadside.

A blond-haired man sat inside with his legs crossed. An iPad was placed before him, displaying the trending topic.

"You smell like omega pheromones."

The man appeared to be mixed-race. He rested an elbow against the car window, his fingertips tapping intermittently.

"Did Mr. Qin ask to see me because something good happened?"

Pei Jiaqian leaned back and shifted his gaze out the window.

"Can't old friends catch up?" Qin Yezhi smiled, curling his lips.

"If you mean catching up over the time you stabbed me when we were fourteen because we fought over the last ice cream, then I'd be delighted."

"Ah... so our youngest Pei is the type to hold a grudge."

"I dream of stabbing you back~"

"Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

Ignoring the other man's teasing tone, Pei Jiaqian merely looked at the message Ye Qingpu had sent him on his phone—"Maybe... could you buy some little desserts or something?"

Does big brother want a little cake...? A trace of tenderness surfaced in Pei Jiaqian's eyes. After replying, he put away his phone. When he looked at the person beside him again, nothing but disgust remained in his eyes.

"If you called me out to put on some tragic act with you, then I'll have to decline."

"Heh... impatient, aren't you?" Qin Yezhi smiled.

"I drove all the way here from Harbor Town just to see you. I nearly became your little uncle's wife, after all. Can't you be a little more patient with me?"

Pei Jiaqian's gaze darkened.

"You still have the nerve to mention that. I treated you as a friend, yet you tried to hook up with my little uncle. The only reason you're still alive is because my little uncle is kindhearted."

"Ha... fine, I won't beat around the bush anymore." Qin Yezhi changed the subject, his eyes turning cold.

"Young President Pei, it seems your hand, along with your friend's, has stretched a little too far. Making me, Qin Yezhi, take the blame for you comes at quite a price~"

"Did I do it? I don't know."

Pei Jiaqian smiled innocently, waved his hand, and got out of the car on his own.

"Mr. Qin, everything requires evidence. We'll have plenty of chances to meet again. I hope you'll look forward to them."

Watching his departing figure, Qin Yezhi's gaze darkened—

Heh, was this a declaration of war?