Before Li Shu could react, Pei Song'an had drawn him into his arms with a hand on his waist and personally put earmuffs and safety goggles on him. His voice was just loud enough for Chen Yannan and the others nearby to hear:
"Yannan might not know this, but Li Shu suffered a little injustice a few days ago. If it were up to me, these men would have to suffer for it, but Li Shu is kind and judges others by his own standards."
"But if I just let it go, I'd be doing a terrible job as his late-arriving older brother."
Everyone present was shrewd. Leaving Li Shu aside, both Zhu Sichun and Chi Yelai looked up at Pei Song'an when they heard this, while the others were even more wary.
His words made it clear that this "performance" was meant to avenge Li Shu while also praising his upright character. And although he sounded as if he were criticizing himself, he was actually insinuating that Chen Yannan was less accomplished as an older brother than he was, despite having come into the role halfway through.
Those two sentences were tactful yet direct, with a hidden edge.
Everyone wore quite a look. Unfortunately, Li Shu, the center of the discussion, had a completely blank mind. Looking at the gun in his hand, all he could think was-
I only know how to fire this thing. I don't know how to aim.
If this shot goes astray, am I going to prison!?
Th-this is a completely undeserved disaster! An undeserved disaster! What crime has this emperor committed!
Pei Song'an saw that Li Shu was obediently holding the gun without raising it. His pale yellow shirt set off his soft, snow-white face, and his expression was a little vacant. One glance was enough to tell that his mind had wandered again.
Just as Li Shu was frantically wrestling with himself, warmth suddenly pressed against his back.
Pei Song'an gently embraced him from behind, his fingertips brushing his wrist as his palm lifted it. His voice and breath spilled over Li Shu's ear with utter naturalness.
"It's all right if you're scared. We'll do it together."
A tsunami was raging through Li Shu's head. He was afraid this shot really would kill someone, but also afraid that not firing would publicly embarrass the crown prince.
He turned his head, so nervous that he did not even notice his lips brushing the man's cheek. His voice trembled:
"Pei Song'an, I really can't shoot. There's something here that brings me bad luck."
The man clasped Li Shu's hand, hooking their index fingers together. His tone was so indulgent it was astonishing. "Talking nonsense again. Did your mother also teach you to turn into a little bot whenever you're nervous?"
Before Li Shu could argue, he pulled the trigger. In an instant-
Bang-
The bullet tore through the air. A fresh bullet hole appeared beside the ear of the man tied to the human-shaped target, while blood streamed down the side of his ear, looking particularly gruesome against the white target.
Pei Song'an released him, his tone subtle. "How was that?"
"Haha, I give up." Li Shu's palms were slightly sweaty. He felt uncomfortable about having put on such a grand show in front of everyone. "Sometimes I honestly don't want to talk to you."
Still, Li Shu had always known how to appreciate a kindness. He dutifully returned the gun to a staff member and smiled up at Pei Song'an.
"But thank you for helping me get even. Pei Song'an, you're a really good guy."
He hadn't just saved me from prison.
He was practically my second dad in this life!
Boohoo.
The two men were taken away by the staff. The expensively dressed man smiled in acknowledgment, his spotless sneakers stepping across the ground. Even the way he turned to face the others exuded ease and elegance.
His lips curved, his handsome looks arresting.
Pei Song'an paid no attention at all to everyone's expressions of shock over the living targets. His usually cool voice held a subtle rasp:
"Please do as you like from here. I hope you all enjoy yourselves."
With that, Pei Song'an took Li Shu's wrist and left. Halfway out, Chen Yannan blocked their path.
Pei Song'an did not mind. Instead, he asked a question he already knew the answer to. "Yannan, did you need something?"
How could Chen Yannan fail to see what Pei Song'an was thinking? Everyone had previously taken it for granted that Li Shu belonged on the Chen Family's side. But after this display, whenever Pei Song'an was mentioned from now on, Li Shu would inevitably come to mind.
Claiming him for himself had been Pei Song'an's goal from the start.
"I specifically came to thank you for helping our Shu get even, Song'an. I've already found the person who ordered them to intimidate him. This was loose business of mine that dragged him in and made him suffer."
At those words, Pei Song'an's gaze fell on Xue Chen's face beside Chen Yannan. His tone was teasing:
"How thoughtful of you, Yannan. Finding the culprit so quickly-you're quite capable."
Xue Chen averted his gaze and lowered his eyes without speaking.
Chen Yannan looked at the large hand around Li Shu's wrist. That palm enclosed his delicate skin in a gesture so blatant it was beyond the pale.
"Song'an, doing this won't do Shu any good. Whether you want someone to like or someone to play with, plenty of people would throw themselves at you. I only want Li Shu to grow up happy."
Pei Song'an was smiling, still in a good mood. "Since you've already settled it, you should know this trouble started with the person sharing your bed. Those stray dogs with no say in anything wouldn't dare bark at a young master of the Chen Family, so they could only sink their teeth into Li Shu to vent their anger. Is that what you mean by happy?"
"Our Li Shu is straightforward, and he's had a little disagreement with his family. He has no one to talk to or help him resolve things, big or small. It hurts me to see it."
Chen Yannan could not tell whether Pei Song'an meant those words or was only pretending. Either way, they made his heart contract sharply, and that uncontrollable emotion surged up again under a sense of threat.
People like them were used to playing along as the occasion demanded. That alone would have been fine, but sincerity mixed into pretense was the deadliest thing of all.
Chen Yannan had never imagined that Li Shu would leave him to be with someone else. The thoughts gathering dust in a corner were scattered by a gale, and something despicable spread unchecked.
"Li Shu may be lively, but he's been well-behaved since he was little. He's easily hurt in relationships. His main priority now is his studies. You probably don't know yet, Song'an, but Shu wants to transfer to a sports major. Once he smooths things over with his family, the problem you're worried about won't exist."
Pei Song'an had guessed why Li Shu had suddenly started taking his studies seriously, but compared with his own speculation, Chen Yannan's tone suggested that Li Shu had told him himself.
The man's Adam's apple dipped quickly. Rather than releasing his grip on Li Shu's wrist, he moved closer.
"No wonder Li Shu was still thinking about going to evening self-study while I was applying medicine for him the night he got hurt. I'm happy about his decision."
Pei Song'an's fingers tightened slightly, carrying a certain air of magnanimity.
"He chose his original major too impulsively. Fortunately, there's still time. The mistakes of the past can all be corrected."
Having said this, Pei Song'an lowered his eyes toward him.
"I'll always support Li Shu's choices."
"If you want to study more efficiently, video tutoring is only a starting point. Everyone has different weaknesses and needs targeted help."
"Let me help you, all right?"
I really can't understand how Chen Yannan has become so brainless, cleaning up after Xue Chen even as he's being used.
Keeping one while eyeing another-what exactly was he thinking, trying to poach someone else's man?
Idiot.
Suddenly addressed, Li Shu's brain jolted. "Huh?"
"Didn't we agree to get to know each other slowly?" Pei Song'an's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable demand for obedience. He watched Li Shu without blinking, his gaze open and naked. "Starting with touch."
"So?"
"Tutoring is a good opportunity for contact. You can get used to my scent first. That way, you won't react so strongly the next time I kiss your waist."
Li Shu: "..."
He wanted there to be a next time?
Human nature really was colorful.
Chen Yannan's brows knitted tightly. Even he did not notice the sharpness in his voice. "You kissed his waist? When?"
Pei Song'an yielded at just the right moment, giving Li Shu's wrist a little shake. "You tell him."
Li Shu: "?"
This was going to kill me.
Tell him what?
How you kissed me like some pervert until I almost changed shape on the spot???
Two men were enough to put on a whole show.
Before you continue