Arc 5A Way to Stay Together

Li Shu and Pei Song'an grew closer while Xie Jin questioned Li Shu about the novel's plot and Pei Song'an investigated his involvement. Pei Song'an secured Xie Jin's cooperation and assured Li Shu they could stay together, but Pei Lian punished him for their relationship and Pei Song'an secretly had the abuse recorded.

  • Li Shu acknowledged his relationship with Pei Song'an, who later intervened when a stranger tried to kiss Li Shu during a bar game.
  • Li Shu learned that Cheng Qi had died and grew suspicious when Xie Jin questioned his caffeine tolerance and his rescue of Pei Song'an.
  • Pei Song'an investigated Xie Jin's connections to the car accident and the exposure of the Pei family's illicit wealth.
  • Shen Muwen brought Li Shu to Xie Jin, who claimed Pei Song'an's ending could not be changed, and Li Shu punched Xie Jin before Pei Song'an arrived.
  • Pei Song'an questioned Xie Jin about his mission and the plot's rules, then secured his cooperation by proposing that completing the plotline could save his life.
  • Pei Song'an admitted to Zhu Sichun that he had caused Xie Jin to go abroad and later assured Li Shu that he had found a way for them to stay together.
  • Pei Lian ordered men to repeatedly hold Pei Song'an underwater over his relationship with Li Shu, and Pei Song'an refused to express regret before confirming that the old butler had secretly recorded everything.
Chapters 101–125 Vol. 2 Read

Ch. 101I want to film this. Can I?

Li Shu and Pei Song'an teased each other during an intimate night, and Li Shu later enjoyed an unusually free evening with Cheng Zhen. The chapter ended with Li Shu startling Cheng Zhen awake with a feather and fleeing toward Pei Song'an as Cheng Zhen chased him.

  • Pei Song'an teased Li Shu while helping him to the bathroom, then said he wanted to film the moment, making Li Shu flustered.
  • Pei Song'an comforted Li Shu with kisses, and Li Shu agreed that they did have a relationship.
  • Li Shu asked Pei Song'an for a day off and spent Monday evening with Cheng Zhen without getting messages from Pei Song'an.
  • After Cheng Zhen fell asleep, Li Shu crept beneath his bunk and moved a feather across his face to scare him.
  • Cheng Zhen woke in terror and struck Li Shu with a pillow, then chased him when Li Shu tried to escape to Pei Song'an's dorm.

Ch. 102There's nothing much on my WeChat. Look if you want

Li Shu persuaded Cheng Zhen to sneak out with him to watch fireworks, and Pei Song'an joined them after revealing how closely he monitored Li Shu. At the bar, Pei Song'an was left alone with a participation wristband when Li Shu disappeared again.

  • Li Shu told Cheng Zhen about the midnight fireworks, and the two decided to sneak out of the dormitory.
  • Pei Song'an and Zhu Sichun let them into their room, and Pei Song'an arranged for the dorm supervisor to let all four leave.
  • On the way to the bar, Pei Song'an explained that he had predicted Li Shu's plans by tracking his online accounts and habits.
  • Li Shu told Pei Song'an he could look through his WeChat, but warned him not to delete his chats.
  • At the bar, Pei Song'an received a wristband for a spotlight game, then discovered Li Shu had vanished.

Ch. 103I'm no different from Pavlov's dog

At a bar party, Li Shu was picked for a suggestive game with a flirtatious stranger, but Pei Song'an appeared and took his place. As they followed the game’s instructions, Pei Song'an teased Li Shu about how strongly he wanted to kiss him.

  • Li Shu got separated from his companions while admiring a pet pig and encountered a young man who invited him to drink and flirted with him.
  • The young man explained the bar’s game and suggested kissing Li Shu, who refused and said he had a boyfriend.
  • The lights selected Li Shu and the young man for an eye-contact challenge, but Li Shu protested and tried to leave.
  • Pei Song'an grabbed Li Shu's wrist, stepped between him and the young man, and insisted on completing the challenge with him.
  • Pei Song'an leaned close to Li Shu and described how Li Shu's gestures made him want to kiss, asking why Li Shu was sticking out his tongue.

Ch. 104Your hostility toward Xie Jin is a little excessive

Li Shu and Pei Song'an teased each other at the club while Pei Song'an and Zhu Sichun discussed suspicious incidents that might be targeting Li Shu. Cheng Zhen told Li Shu that Xie Jin had given him tickets to a dance competition, then revealed that his distant relative Cheng Qi was dead.

  • Pei Song'an teased Li Shu under the spotlight, then pretended he had wanted to kiss him.
  • Li Shu and Cheng Zhen reunited on the second floor and went to tease the pet pigs.
  • Pei Song'an told Zhu Sichun that several incidents seemed to involve Li Shu and might be testing Li Shu's attitude toward him.
  • Pei Song'an questioned why Xie Jin had told Chen Yannan that Li Shu was at the police station, while Zhu Sichun said Pei Song'an was too suspicious.
  • Cheng Zhen told Li Shu that Xie Jin had given him two tickets to a dance competition and then said their distant relative Cheng Qi was dead.

Ch. 105Li Xiaoshu, you won't listen to me anymore, will you?

Li Shu learned that Cheng Qi had died suddenly, then spent the evening teasing and bickering with a jealous Pei Song'an. Pei Song'an eventually agreed to let Li Shu attend Xie Jin's dance competition, on the condition that they stay on the phone throughout.

  • Cheng Zhen told Li Shu that Cheng Qi had died of a sudden heart attack, and the system found no signs of human intervention.
  • Li Shu worried that the system might eliminate people who threatened the book's stability, but Pei Song'an and Zhu Sichun arrived with doughnuts and eased his distress.
  • Pei Song'an grew jealous when Li Shu asked to attend Xie Jin's dance competition with Cheng Zhen and questioned Li Shu about the other men he knew.
  • Li Shu praised Pei Song'an as the handsomest man and asked to go, then the two tussled until the fireworks announcement interrupted them.
  • Pei Song'an agreed to let Li Shu attend the competition if Li Shu stayed on the phone with him the entire time.

Ch. 106Xie Jin was bluffing

Li Shu agreed to stay on the phone with Pei Song'an and later called him from a competition, where Xie Jin approached and questioned his coffee. The system told Li Shu that Xie Jin was bluffing because the original host was not caffeine intolerant.

  • Li Shu agreed to stay on a call with Pei Song'an, and Pei Song'an loosened his grip on Li Shu's neck.
  • After Saturday's lecture, Li Shu called Pei Song'an from the competition despite Cheng Zhen warning him about their relationship.
  • Li Shu watched Xie Jin win the championship and waited in the lobby while Cheng Zhen went to the restroom.
  • Pei Song'an told Li Shu not to hang up when Xie Jin offered him a ride back to campus.
  • Xie Jin asked why Li Shu was drinking coffee despite supposedly being caffeine intolerant, and the system told Li Shu that Xie Jin was bluffing.

Ch. 107But weren't you supposed to make wishes to a bodhisattva?

Li Shu became suspicious when Xie Jin probed him about his caffeine intolerance and the accident that saved Pei Song'an, then worried that Xie Jin knew more than he let on. Pei Song'an reassured Li Shu and drew him toward a kiss, but Cheng Zhen walked in on them.

  • Li Shu denied being caffeine intolerant after Xie Jin claimed he remembered otherwise, and Xie Jin asked whether Li Shu was dating Pei Song'an.
  • Xie Jin questioned Li Shu about rushing to save Pei Song'an during the intersection accident, then left after spotting Pei Song'an nearby.
  • Li Shu told Pei Song'an that Xie Jin seemed suspicious and connected his questions to Cheng Qi's death after visiting Pei Song'an in the psychiatric hospital.
  • Pei Song'an reassured Li Shu and asked whether he wanted to kiss, drawing him into an intimate moment.
  • Cheng Zhen returned, saw Li Shu and Pei Song'an embracing, and turned away in shock.

Ch. 108Since you don't want to, just let me kiss you

Li Shu and Pei Song'an argued over who wanted to kiss whom, then admitted their insecurities through an intense kiss in Pei Song'an's car. Cheng Zhen's messages warning Li Shu about Pei Song'an interrupted them, leaving Li Shu mortified as Pei Song'an read them aloud.

  • After Pei Song'an went to get the car, Li Shu blamed Cheng Zhen for interrupting their near-kiss, and Cheng Zhen jokingly apologized.
  • In the car, Li Shu insisted he no longer wanted to kiss, while Pei Song'an said he had planned to take him to dinner and study together.
  • When Li Shu accused Pei Song'an of making him seem desperate, Pei Song'an confessed to his jealousy and desire to keep Li Shu close, then asked whether Li Shu wanted him to do that.
  • Pei Song'an opened Li Shu's clenched hand and asked him to let Pei Song'an kiss him; Li Shu softened, and they kissed passionately.
  • Cheng Zhen's messages warning Li Shu not to be seduced or trapped by Pei Song'an interrupted them, and Pei Song'an read the messages aloud while Li Shu cringed.

Ch. 109A photo together

Pei Song'an teased Li Shu about their future intimacy, then took him and Zhaocai out for dinner and a run. The evening ended with Pei Song'an taking several selfies with Li Shu and kissing his cheek.

  • Pei Song'an read Cheng Zhen's messages aloud and teased Li Shu, who said he hated him.
  • Pei Song'an picked up Zhaocai from the pet shop and took him and Li Shu to dinner.
  • Pei Song'an fed Zhaocai and kissed Li Shu by taking a cherry tomato from his mouth, leaving Li Shu worrying about their future intimacy.
  • Li Shu and Zhaocai played on the lawn after dinner, and Pei Song'an photographed them.
  • Pei Song'an pulled Li Shu close for several selfies, then kissed his cheek.

Ch. 110Xie Jin might be like you

Pei Song'an investigated Xie Jin and suspected he was probing people close to him to learn whether Li Shu was different. After warning Li Shu to stay out of Xie Jin’s affairs, Pei Song'an and Li Shu were interrupted by a grave call from Li Qinshi about Li Shu’s Porsche.

  • Li Shu stayed at Pei Song'an’s home with Zhaocai, while Pei Song'an and Zheng Linchuan discussed Xie Jin’s unusually active social life and connections to people close to Pei Song'an.
  • Pei Song'an ordered Zheng Linchuan to investigate Xie Jin’s whereabouts during Pei Lian’s scandal and revisit the details of the car accident.
  • Li Shu came into the study, and Pei Song'an told him Xie Jin might be like him; Li Shu guessed Xie Jin was looking for someone like himself.
  • Pei Song'an told Li Shu not to get involved with Xie Jin, then Li Shu spotted his embarrassing photo on Pei Song'an’s lock screen and demanded that he change it.
  • Li Qinshi called and asked Li Shu whether he had sent his Porsche in for repairs.

Ch. 111Let me listen for water in that head of yours

Li Qinshi confronted Li Shu about the car accident and ordered him home for the weekend, while Pei Song'an helped defuse his anger. On the drive to Li Shu’s family home, Li Shu learned that Pei Song'an had sent Shen Muwen to investigate Xie Jin, and worried about what the unpredictable man might do.

  • Li Shu denied having a Porsche and lied to Li Qinshi about how he had crashed it, but Li Qinshi revealed that he had watched the surveillance footage.
  • Pei Song'an took over the call, apologized to Li Qinshi, and explained that he had examined Li Shu and was investigating the Volkswagen involved in the accident.
  • Li Qinshi questioned why Li Shu and Pei Song'an were together so late, then told Li Shu to come home that weekend and clean the pool.
  • Pei Song'an offered to clean the pool instead, and later teased Li Shu by saying he was listening for water in his head.
  • When Pei Song'an picked Li Shu up over the weekend, Li Shu saw Shen Muwen leave and learned he had investigated Xie Jin's call to a newspaper reporter before the Pei family's illicit wealth was exposed.
  • Li Shu worried that Pei Song'an was using Shen Muwen for dangerous work, and Pei Song'an admitted that Shen Muwen was a madman's blade who did not listen to reason.

Ch. 112When you said change clothes, did you mean just change clothes?

Pei Song'an cleaned the Li Family pool while Li Shu tried to help and ended up playfully spraying him with a water gun. Pei Song'an turned the teasing into an intense, intimate confrontation, then let Li Shu go; the chapter ended with Li Shu asking whether changing clothes meant only changing clothes.

  • Li Shu offered to help Pei Song'an clean the pool, but Pei Song'an sent him to feed Zhaocai instead.
  • Li Shu returned with a water gun and sprayed Pei Song'an, who grabbed him and teased him about washing his underwear.
  • Pei Song'an told Li Shu that dating involved more than hand-holding, hugging, and kissing, and urged him to face his desires.
  • Pei Song'an released Li Shu and told him to go upstairs and wait while he finished cleaning the pool.
  • Li Shu asked Pei Song'an whether he meant they would only change clothes.

Ch. 113You really like my name?

Li Shu and Pei Song'an flirted after their pool-cleaning, and Pei Song'an teased Li Shu about his name and pet names. The chapter ended with Pei Song'an kissing vegetable juice into Li Shu's mouth and pointing out that Li Shu had ignored his request to call him baby.

  • Pei Song'an teased Li Shu in the pool, asking what he had grown up eating to turn out so cute.
  • Li Shu fled to change clothes, then played with Zhaocai while Pei Song'an got changed.
  • Li Shu invited Pei Song'an to sit with him and said he liked Pei Song'an's name to death.
  • Pei Song'an brought Li Shu vegetable juice and fed it to him mouth-to-mouth after Li Shu refused to drink it.
  • Pei Song'an reminded Li Shu that he had also ignored the request to call him baby.

Ch. 114Lying on a man's abs and calling him baby

Li Shu and Pei Song'an teased each other over pet names, and Li Shu's affectionate words left Pei Song'an struggling to hold back. After Pei Song'an left for a math competition, Li Shu went to class and found Shen Muwen waiting for him, demanding that he and Cheng Zhen go with him after class.

  • Pei Song'an insisted Li Shu call him baby or darling, and Li Shu finally called him a sweet, handsome good baby.
  • Pei Song'an left for a math competition in a neighboring province and supervised Li Shu's practice papers over video calls.
  • Li Shu and Cheng Zhen hurried to their eight a.m. class after Cheng Zhen considered skipping it.
  • Shen Muwen confronted Li Shu in class and told him and Cheng Zhen to go with him after class, dismissing Li Shu's attempt to contact Pei Song'an.

Ch. 115The ending of the story cannot be changed

Shen Muwen arranged for Li Shu to meet Xie Jin, hoping to interfere with Pei Song'an and warn Li Shu that Pei Song'an might be deceiving him. Xie Jin told Li Shu that Pei Song'an's ending in a novel could not be changed, but Li Shu rejected the claim and demanded an apology.

  • Shen Muwen took Li Shu and Cheng Zhen to meet Xie Jin, saying Xie Jin had something to tell Li Shu.
  • Shen Muwen warned Li Shu that Pei Song'an might have deceived him, but Li Shu insisted Pei Song'an never lied to him.
  • Pei Song'an learned Shen Muwen had gone to see Li Shu and set out to return, despite the competition's postponement.
  • Cheng Zhen gave Shen Muwen an excuse to leave Li Shu alone with Xie Jin.
  • Xie Jin told Li Shu that Cheng Qi had described Pei Song'an as a novel's male lead whose ending could not be changed.
  • Li Shu disbelieved Xie Jin, asked how he knew about Cheng Qi, and ordered him to apologize for cursing Pei Song'an.

Ch. 116Don't rush, we have all afternoon

Pei Song'an confronted Shen Muwen over his contact with Li Shu and threatened him, while Li Shu argued with Xie Jin about Pei Song'an and the story's supposedly fixed ending. Pei Song'an reunited with Li Shu and demanded that he recount everything that had happened, leaving Li Shu to explain Xie Jin's claims.

  • Pei Song'an had Shen Muwen pinned down and told him he had sent Pei Lian photos of Shen meeting Xie Jin.
  • Xie Jin told Li Shu that the story was already written and that even Pei Song'an could not change its events.
  • Li Shu accused Xie Jin of dismissing Pei Song'an's struggles, then tackled and punched him.
  • Pei Song'an arrived, and Li Shu joyfully jumped into his arms and asked about his exam.
  • Pei Song'an told Li Shu they had all afternoon and ordered him to explain everything from beginning to end.

Ch. 117Lucky it was me, Li Xiaoshu-anyone else would have made you work to soothe them

Li Shu confronted Xie Jin, then returned home with Pei Song'an, who admitted he feared Li Shu would drift away from him. Li Shu reassured him and joked that Pei Song'an was lucky to have him.

  • Li Shu punched Xie Jin after their tense meeting, while Pei Song'an confronted Xie Jin about seeing Li Shu and his upcoming exchange abroad.
  • Pei Song'an took Li Shu home, arranged for Cheng Zhen to get home safely, and told Li Shu the competition had been postponed by a day.
  • Pei Song'an cared for Li Shu after dinner, then admitted he felt jealous and feared Xie Jin would cause Li Shu to leave his life sooner.
  • Li Shu apologized for keeping Pei Song'an out of the situation and told him he was important, then teased him for being petty and lucky to have him.

Ch. 118I don't want to. Whoever does is a bastard!

Pei Song'an overwhelmed Li Shu with kisses and affection, then drove him back to school before leaving to meet Xie Jin. Li Shu learned Pei Song'an would return after the competition and wished him luck despite pretending not to care.

  • Pei Song'an carried Li Shu to the bed, kissed him relentlessly, and began taking off his shirt.
  • Pei Song'an demanded that Li Shu call him “baby,” “hubby,” or “wifey,” then continued kissing him despite Li Shu's protests.
  • Pei Song'an told Li Shu that he would only help him, while Li Shu insisted he did not want it.
  • Before night fell, Pei Song'an drove Li Shu back to school and said he would meet Xie Jin to confirm a few things.
  • Li Shu asked whether Pei Song'an's meeting was dangerous and whether they would video call, then wished him luck in the competition.
  • Pei Song'an promised to call after evening study and said he would give the competition his all.

Ch. 119Let you taste a simp's silent treatment

After Pei Song'an's rough help left Li Shu flustered and furious, Li Shu complained about him to Cheng Zhen and learned that Pei Song'an's intense watchfulness worried his roommate. Li Shu defended Pei Song'an, then promptly messaged him, abandoning his plan to ignore him.

  • Li Shu returned to his dorm wearing Pei Song'an's sweatshirt and vowed not to speak to him or answer his calls for the rest of the day.
  • Cheng Zhen teased Li Shu about his changed clothes and guessed what had happened with Pei Song'an, making Li Shu blush.
  • Cheng Zhen said Pei Song'an had never looked so angry before and warned that he watched Li Shu too closely and might not let him leave easily.
  • Li Shu showed Cheng Zhen photos of himself with Pei Song'an and explained that Pei Song'an acted that way because he felt insecure.
  • Cheng Zhen mocked Li Shu for being devoted to handsome men, while Li Shu messaged Pei Song'an and announced he would give Cheng Zhen the silent treatment instead.

Ch. 120Pei Song'an, you really know how to turn the tables

Pei Song'an confronted Xie Jin about the plot’s restrictions and made him agree to help complete the storyline so he could survive. After his competition, Pei Song'an discovered Li Shu and Zhaocai waiting outside campus, and they reunited excitedly.

  • Pei Song'an deduced that Xie Jin was constrained by his mission and questioned him about Cheng Qi’s death and the plot’s rules.
  • Pei Song'an told Xie Jin that completing the plotline before Xie Jin died could save him, leaving Xie Jin no choice but to cooperate.
  • After his competition, Pei Song'an called Li Shu, who teased him about passing and complained that he and Zhaocai had not eaten without him.
  • Pei Song'an spotted Li Shu and Zhaocai waiting outside the campus gates, and Li Shu rushed over to ask what they would have for dinner.

Ch. 121If you're not soaking with me, who do you want to soak with?

Li Shu arranged a hot spring outing with Pei Song'an, bringing Zhaocai and inviting Cheng Zhen and Zhu Sichun along. Pei Song'an mistook Li Shu's plans for a private romantic encounter, and the chapter ended with Li Shu agreeing to soak with him after teasing him about seeing everything sooner or later.

  • Pei Song'an questioned whether Li Shu had skipped class, then agreed to let Li Shu arrange their evening plans.
  • Li Shu and Pei Song'an dropped Zhaocai off for a bath and went to a private hot spring spa, where Cheng Zhen and Zhu Sichun joined them.
  • Cheng Zhen and Zhu Sichun chose separate rooms, but Pei Song'an stopped Li Shu as he tried to head to his own room.
  • Pei Song'an pressed Li Shu about soaking separately and teased him about whether he had come to see Pei Song'an or spend time with Cheng Zhen.
  • Li Shu agreed to soak with Pei Song'an, then tried to leave when Pei Song'an seized on his remark that he would see everything sooner or later.

Ch. 122When did I say you could leave?

Li Shu and Pei Song'an shared a private nude hot spring bath, where Pei Song'an teased and embraced him while insisting they would stay together every day. Li Shu tried to escape when Pei Song'an kept their future plans secret, but Pei Song'an dragged him back and demanded to know when he had said he could leave.

  • Li Shu reluctantly entered the hot spring naked after warning Pei Song'an not to try anything.
  • Pei Song'an pulled Li Shu onto his lap and teased him as Li Shu nervously begged him to behave.
  • Pei Song'an told Li Shu they would be together every day, prompting Li Shu to ask whether they would avoid separation and whether he could still return for money.
  • Li Shu sprang from the pool to escape after Pei Song'an refused to explain, but Pei Song'an grabbed his ankle and pulled him back.
  • Pei Song'an pinned Li Shu and kissed him before demanding to know when he had said Li Shu could leave.

Ch. 123Li Xiaoshu, you have a hickey on your neck

Li Shu and Pei Song'an shared an intimate bath and continued teasing each other before Li Shu went to meet Cheng Zhen in the lobby. Pei Song'an told Zhu Sichun why he was so possessive of Li Shu, then the two found an unfamiliar man chatting with Li Shu and Cheng Zhen.

  • Pei Song'an kissed Li Shu in the bath, and later Li Shu teased him while playing with toy ducks on the bed.
  • Cheng Zhen invited Li Shu to watch a drone show, then pointed out that Li Shu had a hickey on his neck.
  • While buying ice cream, Pei Song'an admitted to Zhu Sichun that he had caused Xie Jin to go abroad and explained how deeply he wanted Li Shu because nothing else had ever felt like his own.
  • Pei Song'an recalled being locked in the basement as a four-year-old and said his father's approval no longer mattered.
  • Pei Song'an and Zhu Sichun reached the lobby and saw an unfamiliar man showing Li Shu something on his phone.

Ch. 124Turning a straight guy gay? Interesting

Pei Song'an reunited with Li Shu at the festival, where their intimate teasing stirred jealousy and amused their friends. After drinking, Li Shu asked whether Pei Song'an had truly found a way for them to stay together, then fell asleep reassured but still worried about what would happen to their families.

  • Pei Song'an grew jealous when he saw Li Shu chatting with Cheng Zhen and an unfamiliar dog owner, but Li Shu ran to him for ice cream and reassured him.
  • The unfamiliar man asked Cheng Zhen for his contact information, and Cheng Zhen turned him down while Li Shu and Zhu Sichun teased him about it.
  • Li Shu and his friends watched the drone show and drank sweet wine as Cheng Zhen demonstrated a game strategy to Zhu Sichun.
  • Li Shu asked Pei Song'an whether he had really found a way for them to stay together, and Pei Song'an confirmed that he had.
  • Drunk Li Shu sniffed and licked Pei Song'an's lips, called him several affectionate names, and fell asleep in his arms after asking him to collect Zhaocai.
  • As Pei Song'an carried Li Shu toward the elevator, Li Shu murmured that he was glad they did not have to part, then worried aloud about Pei Song'an leaving his parents behind.

Ch. 125Did you record everything I asked you to?

Li Shu drunkenly mistook Pei Song'an for a male host before revealing he had recognized him all along, and the two returned home the next day. Pei Song'an faced his father’s hostility toward his relationship with Li Shu and woke after being held underwater, asking whether the butler had recorded everything he requested.

  • Li Shu crawled away from Pei Song'an, mistook him for a male host, and joked about asking him to take the CET-4 exam before falling asleep.
  • Pei Song'an and Li Shu returned home the next day, and Pei Song'an left Li Shu with Zhu Sichun and Cheng Zhen to answer Pei Lian’s call.
  • Pei Lian confronted Pei Song'an about being close to Li Shu and ordered two men to hold him underwater until he reconsidered.
  • Pei Song'an was repeatedly pushed into the pool, refusing to say he regretted being with Li Shu.
  • After Pei Song'an woke, he asked the old butler whether he had recorded everything he requested, and the butler confirmed it was recorded without anyone noticing.
Arc 5 of 7
Arc 5 of 7