Ji Shang got into the car, pulled off his tie, and undid two buttons at his collar, revealing his exquisite collarbones.
His collarbones were beautiful, his bone structure lovely. That stretch of collarbone was like a rose inviting a kiss.
An Yubei looked away, not daring to look at Ji Shang again. He felt that Ji Shang was a little agitated, as though he were bottling up some emotion.
An Yubei sat properly, his hands resting naturally on his knees.
Soon, a hand settled on his neck, slender fingertips kneading his nape.
Unease instantly churned in An Yubei's heart.
He was like a little animal with a beast's jaws around its vitals, not moving a muscle, not even daring to breathe.
Ji Shang, what's wrong? Are you going to hit me?
Then go easy. I'm afraid of pain.
An Yubei closed his eyes and waited for Ji Shang's punishment.
The faint scent of alcohol lingered around his nose, and Ji Shang's low, husky voice sounded beside his ear. "Xiao Bei, who took you to the bar?"
An Yubei shrank back, the fine hairs on his back standing on end.
He clenched his teeth and said nothing.
I absolutely can't say Ji Dongsheng took me. As a tough guy, I won't sell anyone out.
And I can't say Ji Dongsheng let me drink, either. Those are secrets between Dad and me.
Oh no, I forgot to tell Dad not to let it slip.
No, I'll send Dad a message on WeChat in a bit.
Ji Shang's lips curved into a smile. For the first time, he felt how satisfying it was to be able to hear other people's thoughts.
He drew An Yubei into his arms and said, "If you don't want to say, Xiao Bei, then don't. I won't force you."
An Yubei's eyes instantly lit up, an irrepressible smile tugging at his lips. "Really?"
Ji Shang said, "Yes, really."
Since he already knew, naturally there was no need for An Yubei to tell him.
An Yubei leaned against Ji Shang's chest and smiled. "Brother Shang, you're so good to me."
"Having you and Dad is my greatest happiness."
An Yubei truly cherished the family affection he had now. Dad and Ji Shang both treated him very well, spoiling and loving him unconditionally.
They gave him more money than he could spend and bought him expensive gifts, too.
This was all tenderness An Yubei had never experienced in his previous life.
His previous life had been too bitter. He had struggled through life alone, with no one to rely on. Fortunately, in this life, he had met people he could depend on.
"Will you ever hate me and stop liking me?"
In the original novel's plot, Ji Shang hated An Yubei and eventually sent him off to herd sheep on the grasslands.
Although the plot was a little absurd and ridiculous, the thought of Ji Shang hating him made An Yubei's chest ache terribly.
Ji Shang squeezed An Yubei's palm and asked calmly, "Why would I hate you?"
Ji Shang liked the way An Yubei leaned against him. It made him feel needed.
Especially when An Yubei leaned obediently against him and spoke softly to him, it felt as though life was peaceful and good.
An Yubei tried to sit up to speak, but Ji Shang firmly held him down. "Just talk like this."
He hadn't held him enough yet!
Although An Yubei was a boy, his body felt soft.
Ji Shang kneaded An Yubei's chubby little cheek again.
An Yubei wasn't quite used to it. He felt like a little doll in Ji Shang's arms, letting him do whatever he wanted.
"If I stop behaving and being good, you'll hate me."
Afraid that Ji Shang wouldn't understand what he meant, he explained, "Like today, when I got into trouble, got into a fight, and caused trouble for you. Will you hate me?"
Hearing An Yubei's nonsensical words, Ji Shang chuckled softly. "I won't hate you."
"Xiao Bei, remember this. We don't start trouble, but we aren't afraid of it, either. Xiao Bei, you can do whatever you please, anything you want. If anything happens, I'll cover for you."
An Yubei: "...!"
Oh my god, who could withstand this kind of mindless doting!
"Ji Shang, you'll spoil me rotten."
"What if I become a big bad guy someday?"
"What if I become a really, really evil villain, fight you for the family fortune, bully you, and hit you?"
Wasn't the reason brats became brats that their families indulged and spoiled them too much?
An Yubei now felt that Ji Shang wanted him to become a brat.
He could do whatever he pleased, and no matter what he did, Ji Shang would sort out the trouble for him.
It sounded pretty great, but An Yubei was so used to behaving himself that he didn't dare run wild.
Ji Shang thought for a moment and said, "If you want the family fortune, I'll give it to you. If you want to be a bad guy, Xiao Bei, then go ahead. As long as you don't break the law or cross the line, I can keep you safe."
"And I will never hate you."
As he said this, Ji Shang raised a hand and caught An Yubei's chin, making him look at him.
Their eyes met, the flickering lights casting alternating light and shadow over their faces.
In that instant, An Yubei saw stars in Ji Shang's eyes.
"Ji Shang, just keep spoiling me." An Yubei leaned happily against Ji Shang's chest and smiled. "From now on, I'll bully you every day and make you beg for mercy."
Ji Shang smiled with his lips pressed together. "All right. Whatever Xiao Bei says."
An Yubei sighed inwardly. What am I going to do? Ji Shang spoils me too much.
I love being spoiled by Ji Shang so much. I'm going to become unable to leave him.
Ji Shang tightened his embrace a little, thinking that it would be good if he couldn't leave him!
No one could take Xiao Bei away.
The car stopped outside their home. The driver quickly got out to open the door. Ji Shang got out first, then turned to help An Yubei.
An Yubei placed his hand in Ji Shang's palm and let him help him out of the car.
An Yubei yawned. "I'm so sleepy. Let's go to bed!"
After all the commotion that night, An Yubei had almost fallen asleep in the car.
"All right. Wash up before bed."
An Yubei walked into the house with Ji Shang, and soon they saw Ji Dongsheng sitting on the sofa like an ant on a hot pan.
Seeing An Yubei return, Ji Dongsheng lunged over and hugged him.
"Son, you're finally back! Dad thought he'd lost you."
Ji Dongsheng had been chatting and drinking with his friends and lost track of time.
Only when he came to his senses did he realize An Yubei was gone.
He called several times in a row, but each time he was told the phone was switched off. Ji Dongsheng panicked at once.
If An Yubei went missing or something happened to him, he would die of guilt.
Hearing Ji Dongsheng say this, An Yubei was afraid Ji Shang would realize that Ji Dongsheng had taken him to the bar.
So he began to gloss it over. "Dad, what are you talking about? What do you mean, lost me? I just went to the bar on my own because I was curious. It had nothing to do with you."
Dad, you have to understand what I mean!
Seeing An Yubei wink and make faces at him, Ji Dongsheng understood his intention.
If Ji Shang found out he had taken An Yubei to a bar to drink, he would definitely deal with him.
Most importantly, he had lost him.
Although he was the father, he was still very afraid of Ji Shang.
"Ah, yes, that's right!" Ji Dongsheng smiled. "I'm getting old and muddled from sleep. I'm talking nonsense."
Sensing that something was off about Ji Shang's expression, Ji Dongsheng said, "Well, it's pretty late. I'm going to bed. I'm getting too old to stay up late. You two chat. I'll be off."
Ji Shang quickly blocked Ji Dongsheng's path, his tone unfriendly. "Dad, where are you going?"
Ji Dongsheng: "...!"
I really regret having a son like this. Is it too late to stuff him back in now?
Ji Shang pressed him step by step. "You took Xiao Bei to a bar to drink, then lost him. Ji Dongsheng, you really are reliable!"
Ji Dongsheng: "...!"
I'm toast!
Xiao Bei, save me!