Chapter 29

From this moment on, everything changed. He would gaze with eyes full of desire, watching intently, wanting to pry open Yan Bozong's abstinent lips.

A chorus of gasps erupted from the crowd. Yan Songwei had already galloped over on his horse. Yan Bozong released him and stood up, seemingly mindful of the surrounding eyes. He reached out a hand and pulled him up.

Qi Liangqin got to his feet and patted the dust off his clothes. Yan Songwei had already dismounted.

"Liangqin, are you alright?" Yan Songwei asked.

Qi Liangqin shook his head, his face flushed. "I'm fine. Thanks to Big Brother."

"Big Brother, are you alright too?"

Yan Bozong also shook his head and said, "Take Xiao Qi to the infirmary for a check-up."

Yan Songwei led Qi Liangqin toward the infirmary, while the people around them swarmed Yan Bozong, asking what had happened.

"Big Brother is really something—riding with someone else and still trying to jump a series of obstacles." After they had walked some distance, Yan Songwei finally voiced his complaint. "It's lucky you two are alright… He wasn't this reckless before."

"It's not Big Brother's fault. I asked him to take me for a ride so I could get a feel for it. I didn't expect something to go wrong," Qi Liangqin said, his face still flushed. "Don't blame him, or it'll just make things awkward."

"I know."

Qi Liangqin felt like he was gradually turning into a 'green tea bitch'—innocent on the outside, calculating on the inside. Maybe he had played the role of a good, honest person for too long, because now, he found a certain thrill in it—being the bad guy was simply more exhilarating than being the good one.

At the infirmary, after a check-up, it was confirmed that there were no major injuries.

However, Yan Bozong had suffered a minor injury—reportedly, his arm had been stepped on by the horse's hoof. Fortunately, it was just a light impact, and the injury wasn't serious.

Still, he became noticeably colder toward Qi Liangqin. Even Yan Songwei sensed something was off, though he assumed it was just the lingering tension from the accident that had made their atmosphere a bit strange. Having been shaken by the incident, Qi Liangqin behaved himself and simply sat on the sidelines, watching others ride.

Since they had to attend Uncle Wang's dinner party that evening, they planned to head back after lunch.

On the way home, Yan Songwei was the one driving. Qi Liangqin sat in the front passenger seat. Noticing that Yan Bozong hadn't gotten into the car, he asked, "Aren't we waiting for Big Brother?"

"He called for a driver; he's not taking this car."

"Is Big Brother mad at me?"

Yan Songwei chuckled. "He said he needs to stop by the company for something, so he asked Old Hu to drive him. We're heading straight home. It's probably for the best. Ever since that fall, you two have been acting weird—I don't know why you're both being so awkward. It's just horseback riding; accidents happen."

Qi Liangqin gazed out the car window, watching as Yan Bozong stood there chatting with his friends, not sparing a single glance in their direction. He muttered, "I'll apologize to Big Brother when we get home. Hopefully, he won't take it to heart."

Yan Songwei smiled and said, "He's not that kind of person—you're overthinking it."

The car gradually pulled away from the racetrack, and Qi Liangqin closed his eyes. He felt a sense of relief, a hint of excitement, and a touch of melancholy.

Relief, because this pivotal moment had finally come to an end. Excitement, because his hidden desires had surfaced—he felt as if he had crossed a line. And melancholy, because he had indeed crossed that line. He could see no future for himself.

But then, no one could truly see their own future. Even in his previous world, every morning when he woke up, he would lie in bed in a daze, staring at the morning light streaming through the window, uncertain of where his path would lead.

When it came to the future, Qi Liangqin had always had a vision, a feeling—like an early morning when he had to get up for work and rush to catch the bus. It was probably a winter morning, with the sky still dim and hazy, the sun yet to rise in the east. As he walked down the street, the road felt old and slightly unkempt, and people hurried past, neither too many nor too few, all with their heads lowered, hunching their shoulders against the biting northern wind.

The morning in that aging city was cold and dreary, yet just ahead, the sky glowed with the first light of dawn, as if in the next moment, the sun would leap above the horizon, casting golden rays everywhere—warming him at last.

That was the feeling.

When he was Qi Liang, this was how he felt. Now that he had become Qi Liangqin, the feeling remained the same.

The journey lasted over three hours, and perhaps out of boredom, Yan Songwei asked, "Wanna listen to some music?"

"Mm."

Yan Songwei turned on the music, but after scrolling through the playlist for a while, he still couldn't find a good song. "Why is there nothing more upbeat?"

This was Yan Bozong's car, not his, so naturally, all the songs were ones Yan Bozong liked.

"What kind of songs are these?"

Qi Liangqin leaned over for a glance, only to find they were all quite to his taste. "These slow-paced ones are nice too." Saying that, he selected a song.

A wave of moving vocals suddenly filled the car. He swayed his head slightly to the rhythm before leaning back into his seat, rolling down the window a little. The wind rushed in, messing up his hair completely. Yan Songwei glanced at him and saw his disheveled hair shimmering in the light filtering through the window.

"What's this song? It's so lifeless," Yan Songwei remarked.

"It's a song best enjoyed in quiet moments. I loved it when I was a freshman. It was even my background music on QQ Space. I didn't expect Big Brother to like it too."

"Sounds like a dirge," Yan Songwei commented.

Qi Liangqin chuckled.

Maybe it was because he had listened to it long enough, but Yan Songwei actually started finding the song quite nice. He asked, "What's the name of this song?"

"Have you seen Night Shanghai? It's an insert song from the film—Breathe, sung by Frally."

"Night Shanghai…" Yan Songwei repeated, then laughed and started humming, "Night Shanghai, Night Shanghai, you are a sleepless city…"

He sang so off-key that Qi Liangqin couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Not that one! I meant the movie—it's really touching."

"Never watched it. Just hearing this lifeless tune, I can tell it's some artsy film. I don't like those. A movie needs to be a big Hollywood blockbuster to be exciting."

As it turned out, the song was indeed quite sleep-inducing. After looping a few times, Qi Liangqin actually drifted off. Yan Songwei quickly connected his phone via Bluetooth and switched to another song. To avoid waking him, he lowered the volume.

Clearly, he still preferred music with a bit more energy.

When they arrived home, Madam Yan and Yan Yuan had already finished dressing up. In all his years, aside from seeing it on screen, Qi Liangqin had never witnessed a woman wearing an evening gown in real life. So when he saw Yan Yuan supporting Madam Yan as they descended the stairs, he was almost blinded by their dazzling presence.

One word—stunning. A kind of beauty that exuded sheer wealth and nobility.

There was no need to mention Yan Yuan—young and charming, her fair chest exposed in a way that even Qi Liangqin, who was as bent as could be, couldn't help but steal another glance. And despite her age, Madam Yan was equally elegant and regal, looking even more spirited than usual.

Seeing the two of them so dressed up, Yan Songwei suddenly remembered something.

He had forgotten to prepare a suit for Qi Liangqin. Though Qi Liangqin had plenty of clothes in his wardrobe, they were all casual wear—nothing suitable for a formal occasion.

"Do I really have to wear this?" Qi Liangqin held up the outfit in his hands and looked at himself in the mirror.

"You must. Everyone will be dressed formally. If you dress too casually, it'll seem disrespectful to the host. This outfit is practically new—I've only worn it once. No one will remember it, so just wear it with ease."

However, since Yan Songwei was only slightly shorter than Yan Bozong, he was naturally much taller and broader than Qi Liangqin. After changing into the outfit, Qi Liangqin looked at himself in the mirror, feeling a bit uneasy.

With his face, he figured he could make anything look good. Good-looking people always looked good no matter what they wore. But knowing his own judgment wasn't exactly objective, he turned to Yan Songwei and asked, "How does it look?"

Yan Songwei hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Forget it, just make do with it. Better than nothing."

Just then, Yan Bozong's voice came from outside. Yan Songwei stood up and said, "I'll go check with Big Brother. He might have an old suit that fits you better."

Hearing this, Qi Liangqin froze for a moment. Watching Yan Songwei walk out, he felt a nervous anticipation rising in his heart.

If Yan Songwei could borrow a suit from Yan Bozong, that would be perfect. Even if it fit worse than this one, he would gladly wear it.

A piece of clothing worn by Yan Bozong—even that felt like something special. This thought surfaced in Qi Liangqin's mind, and it wasn't because of the novel's Qi Liangqin, but because of himself. A piece of clothing, once worn by Yan Bozong, seemed to gain a soul, becoming something different.

Then, what if it wasn't just a jacket? What if it were a T-shirt that Yan Bozong had worn? Or even… his underwear?

He pursed his lips and looked at the mirror, only to see his own face flushed with restless desire staring back at him.

Not long after, Yan Songwei returned, shaking his head. "Big Brother doesn't have any old clothes either."

Qi Liangqin felt a bit disappointed, though it was only natural. If Yan Bozong had any clothes that fit him, they would have to be from many years ago. For someone as wealthy as him, even new clothes piled up unworn—why would he bother keeping old ones?

"Let's just go with this. I think it's fine."

Saying that, Qi Liangqin put on his leather shoes and stepped outside, only for Madam Yan to immediately ask, "He's wearing this?"

"Isn't there anything more fitted? Didn't they take his measurements when having his clothes made?" Yan Yuan asked.

Madam Yan scoffed, "Measurements? One look and you can tell it's something your second brother used to wear. You don't remember?"

Yan Yuan laughed. "To me, all men's suits look the same. Mom, you really have sharp eyes and a good memory."

"Just make do with it," Yan Songwei said. "It's just a little loose."

"He can't even fill it out properly. He looks so pitiful. I think it'd be less embarrassing if he didn't go at all," Madam Yan remarked before linking arms with Yan Yuan and heading out.

Qi Liangqin stood there awkwardly and asked Yan Songwei, "Do I still have to go?"

"Of course. We already told the hosts the whole family would attend. Mom was just venting—don't take it seriously."

Yan Bozong stepped out of his room, pausing briefly when he saw Qi Liangqin's outfit, but he said nothing. He simply fastened his cufflinks and walked outside. Dressed impeccably in formal attire, he looked so striking that Qi Liangqin's heart skipped a beat.

Unlike Yan Songwei, who often dressed casually in a way that made him effortlessly handsome, wearing formal attire made him look somewhat pretentious. Yan Bozong, on the other hand, was the complete opposite—he was born for gentlemanly attire, exuding an aura of noble authority. When he wasn't smiling, he appeared cold and restrained, his handsomeness taking on an almost ascetic allure.

"Don't just stand there—let's go."

Qi Liangqin quickly followed Yan Songwei. At that moment, he suddenly felt as if Yan Songwei was the man he should be relying on. A bit nervous, he asked him if there was anything he needed to pay attention to.

For once, Yan Songwei was gentle. "Just stay close to me, and you'll be fine."

At critical moments, Yan Songwei could be quite reliable. The two Yan brothers were, in truth, not the typical spoiled rich heirs.

Qi Liangqin remained silent on the way. Deep down, he had always carried a sense of inferiority, a result of years spent living alone. He wasn't accustomed to crowded social settings. In the novel, it was written that at this banquet, he was completely in his element, flitting around like a social butterfly. But for him, this was an impossible task. After only a few minutes lingering in a corner, he began feeling restless. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to engage in socializing.

This situation, fortunately, wasn't entirely unfamiliar. When he first started working, he had also been terrified of social interactions. But in the workplace, relationships were unavoidable. Sometimes, he had to attend dinners and make small talk, feigning familiarity even when none existed. Sitting alone, eating and drinking in silence, would have been even more awkward.

A few more glasses of wine in, and he started to feel light-headed, loosening up more and more. Eventually, he truly became a social butterfly.

He was reveling in the joy that beauty brought him, like a starving man suddenly faced with a feast—unable to resist gorging himself, overindulging beyond control. But no one seemed to mind. Everyone was eager to engage with him.

After all, Yan Songwei, the second son of the Yan family, had married a male spouse. This wasn't old news—on the contrary, it was his first time making a public appearance since their marriage. Everyone was curious about him.

"Your brother found himself a good one—handsome and lively."

It was mostly flattery, of course. Yan Bozong, listening with a drink in hand, shifted his gaze toward Qi Liangqin.

Tonight, Qi Liangqin was indeed quite lively, slightly drunk. Yan Bozong didn't like it. Attending a banquet required etiquette and restraint—wandering around like this was unseemly. So he beckoned Yan Songwei over from across the room.

"Aren't you keeping an eye on him?" he said. "People might start thinking you married a hostess."

Yan Songwei wasn't offended; he simply chuckled. "What do you mean 'married'? What 'hostess'?" He glanced at Qi Liangqin and added, "I never knew he was this outgoing. He was worried he wouldn't fit in at first."

"You didn't know he was outgoing?" Yan Bozong sneered. "Just how much more 'open' does he have to be before you recognize it?"

Yan Songwei was momentarily taken aback, looking up at his older brother. But Yan Bozong had already handed his glass to a waiter and headed to the restroom.

Smiling, Yan Songwei made his way through the crowd and patted Qi Liangqin on the shoulder. Qi Liangqin turned around just as his wine glass tilted, spilling red wine—not on Yan Songwei, but all over himself.

A nearby waiter promptly handed him a napkin. Yan Songwei helped him wipe it off and said, "You've had too much to drink."

"I'm fine," Qi Liangqin laughed, his face flushed, eyes shimmering with intoxication. "I'm not drunk."

Yan Songwei nudged him. "Go rinse it off in the restroom."

Qi Liangqin nodded and quickly headed to the restroom. Standing before the mirror, he turned on the faucet but didn't wash up immediately. Instead, he leaned over the sink, almost retching. Afraid of making a scene, he rushed to a stall, thinking that if he had to vomit, at least he should do it out of sight.

Someone was using the urinal outside. He pulled open a stall door, stepped inside, and shut it behind him. As soon as he lifted the toilet lid, he vomited.

Strangely enough, he wasn't actually drunk, yet he had thrown up. Grabbing some toilet paper, he wiped his mouth and, feeling much better, opened the door to step out—only to find Yan Bozong standing right in front of him.

"You threw up?" Yan Bozong asked.

Qi Liangqin froze, momentarily at a loss. Seeing Yan Bozong's cold expression as he turned to leave, Qi Liangqin instinctively grabbed his arm.

"Let go," Yan Bozong turned his head to look at him.

The dim restroom lighting blurred his vision, or maybe it was the alcohol. His face burned as he released his grip. Someone else entered the restroom just then, and Yan Bozong walked out.

Qi Liangqin stood there for a moment before stepping out as well. He washed his hands, wiped off the wine stains on his clothes, then stared blankly at his own reflection in the mirror.

His face was flushed from alcohol, his gaze carrying a certain sultry allure.

Back when he was just a reader, he remembered how the novel described Yan Bozong's cold indifference toward Qi Liangqin. The comment section was filled with readers cursing Yan Bozong, calling him a heartless scumbag, saying they couldn't handle it. But back then, Qi Liangqin had been one of those who loved it—who loved Yan Bozong even more the colder he was.

He considered himself rational and realistic. Those stories filled with unconditional, ruleless affection always seemed insincere to him, like a fleeting dream—sweet, but ultimately unreal.

Yan Bozong wasn't like those characters. He wasn't some infatuated, doting lover. He was Yan Bozong—upright, restrained, self-disciplined. He would never overstep boundaries with his younger brother's spouse. Even if he harbored feelings for Qi Liangqin, he would never act on them.

That was precisely why Qi Liangqin loved him.

If Yan Bozong were the kind of man who fell in love easily, who had no principles and only acted on his desires, then he wouldn't be the Yan Bozong Qi Liangqin adored.

Thinking about it, he found it both ironic and amusing.

"Had a bit too much to drink?"

A gentle male voice sounded from behind. He looked up and saw in the mirror a tall, lean middle-aged man wearing glasses, his features handsome and mild.

He recognized this man. They had met when he first arrived, and Yan Songwei had introduced him—this was Uncle Wang's younger brother, Wang Ze, thirty-six years old. Since this character had appeared in the novel a few times, he remembered him well.

"No, just a little dizzy," he smiled and turned around to wipe his hands.

"I just heard Aunt Zhang say that you'll be starting classes at our university this fall?"

Qi Liangqin froze for a moment before realizing that "Aunt Zhang" referred to Madam Yan, and as for attending university—he had almost completely forgotten about it.

The Male Version of Pan Jinlian was written in such detail that by chapter eighty, it still hadn't mentioned him going to college.

He hesitated briefly before asking, "You're at that university too?"

At his age, it was unlikely he was still a student—not even a PhD student.

Sure enough, Wang Ze smiled and said, "I'm a professor at Donghua University."

Donghua University, or "Dongda" as he called it, was one of the top universities in Nancheng. Qi Liangqin vaguely realized that Madam Yan had likely pulled some strings for him, possibly with this very man. He quickly bowed his head and said, "I'll be counting on your guidance, Professor Wang."

Wang Ze chuckled, "I may not necessarily be teaching your class. It depends on the final arrangements."

They chatted a bit more before Wang Ze went to use the restroom. Qi Liangqin stepped out, only to be startled by the sight of Yan Bozong standing right outside the door, watching him.

The look in Yan Bozong's eyes sent a jolt through him—it felt like he was catching someone in the act.

"I used to have a good impression of you," Yan Bozong said sternly. "I didn't expect you to be so improper."

Qi Liangqin was momentarily stunned, his face flushing red. "You… don't slander me."

"You really don't know what kind of person Wang Ze is?"

Heaven knows—he really didn't. Yan Bozong's expression darkened as if he didn't want to say more. He turned to leave, and Qi Liangqin, panicking, quickly chased after him down the hallway, which was now empty.

"I really don't know. What is he? Gay?"

Yan Bozong immediately stopped and turned back to look at him. "So you do know."

"…" Qi Liangqin had only been guessing. "I don't know. This was my first time meeting him—we just exchanged a few words."

Yan Bozong's expression softened slightly but remained distant. "Since you're already married, you should take responsibility for your marriage. I won't tell Songwei about what you've been up to, but if you don't behave…"

He didn't finish his sentence because Yan Songwei was calling from the other side.

"Liangqin, come over here."

Yan Bozong walked away. Qi Liangqin went over to Yan Songwei, who was introducing him to his friends. While socializing, Qi Liangqin kept sneaking glances around, but Yan Bozong was nowhere to be found.

After the banquet ended, Yan Songwei wasn't ready to call it a night. He wanted to continue partying with his friends and asked Qi Liangqin if he wanted to join.

"We just got back from the horse ranch, and you've been socializing all night. Aren't you exhausted?" Qi Liangqin asked, surprised.

Yan Songwei, his face slightly flushed from alcohol, grinned. "Tired? Nah. It wasn't even fun with all the elders around. The next stop is just us young folks."

"I'm not going. I'm exhausted," Qi Liangqin groaned. "I'm about to drop dead."

"Then head back with Big Brother and the others. I won't tell Mom myself—she'll nag me to death. You tell her for me."

Qi Liangqin was truly drained. Socializing was exhausting. He had been keeping up a polite smile all night, and after Yan Bozong's mood swings, he felt like he had been on an emotional roller coaster. Right now, all he wanted was a chair to collapse into.

Standing at the entrance, he saw Yan Bozong and Uncle Wang walking out together, engaged in quiet conversation. His body tensed instinctively, as if he had just been wound up again, and he quickly straightened his posture.

As Madam Yan and the Wang family exchanged farewells, Qi Liangqin obediently stood by. He vaguely heard Uncle Wang complimenting him for being well-mannered, so he humbly bowed and smiled.

So well-behaved, so polite—with his striking, elegant looks, who would suspect he was secretly seducing his elder brother-in-law?

They got into a limousine—one he hadn't noticed the license plate of, and not the same car he had arrived in. The interior was even more spacious than it looked from the outside. Qi Liangqin and Yan Bozong sat on one side, while Madam Yan and Yan Yuan sat opposite them.

"Liangqin did well tonight. I heard several people praising him," Yan Yuan said as she entered the car, glancing at him. "How was the horse ranch? Did you see my brothers riding? They're both great equestrians, aren't they?"

Qi Liangqin, slightly tipsy, stammered his way through a string of compliments about both brothers—mostly about Yan Songwei. His tone, loosened by alcohol, was animated.

"He's not going home? Why didn't you go with him?"

"I'm too tired. And I'm not really familiar with his friends."

"That's exactly why you should socialize with them more. If you want to keep a man, you can't just focus on him—you need to integrate into his life, his circle of friends and relatives," Madam Yan advised patiently. "You should get to know his friends. See which ones are worth keeping around and which ones are bad influences. The ones worth befriending, you build connections with. The bad ones, you help steer him away from. It's good for him and for you."

Yan Yuan chuckled. "Does Songwei even have any friends who aren't bad influences?"

Madam Yan lightly smacked her, and Qi Liangqin laughed along with her. Even Madam Yan smiled, her demeanor softening as she gave Qi Liangqin a warm yet teasing look. "What are you giggling at? You little fool."

Yan Bozong, however, leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Yan Yuan noticed his silence and asked, "Big Brother, are you tired?"

"Mm. Just resting my eyes."

"Did you drink too much?" Madam Yan asked.

"No."

"I'm exhausted too," Madam Yan sighed. "Getting older… even going out for dinner feels like a hassle. I'd rather stay home."

"Liangqin drank quite a bit too. He's even stammering now."

Qi Liangqin was indeed exhausted. He had wanted to sink into the seat the moment he got in, but seeing how elegantly Yan Yuan and Madam Yan sat, he forced himself to sit up straight.

The car was dark, with only the dim glow of streetlights filtering in through the windows, flickering between light and shadow.

As the alternating brightness and darkness washed over him, the drowsiness brought on by alcohol overtook him. Qi Liangqin gradually relaxed, finally slumping back into the seat, his unfocused eyes drifting toward the opposite side—where the Yan women had already closed their eyes to rest.

After the bustle, everything returned to silence. Behind the extravagant display of flowers was always a heart barely holding on.

The car drove onto the bridge, where bright lights illuminated the interior. He turned his head to glance at Yan Bozong, who was leaning against the seat, seemingly asleep. He licked the corner of his lips, let out a breath, and closed his eyes as well.

Today had been an emotionally turbulent day. He didn't know if it was just the effect of alcohol, but his whole body felt weak, his mind scattered. A complicated emotion welled up in his heart—part sorrow, part exhaustion.

And just like that, he fell asleep.

Yan Bozong was also on the verge of sleep when he suddenly felt something resting against his shoulder. He immediately opened his eyes and turned his head—only to see Qi Liangqin.

Fast asleep, Qi Liangqin had somehow ended up leaning against his shoulder, nestled against him. Yan Bozong couldn't tell if he had done it on purpose or if he had truly just fallen asleep.

He glanced at the mother and daughter sitting across from them, both resting with their eyes closed. His own eyes, still open, shimmered in the ever-changing light and shadow. For a moment, he didn't know whether he should push Qi Liangqin away.

He felt that he ought to remain indifferent—to demonstrate his propriety, his detachment. He shouldn't even show resistance, as if to prove how unaffected he was by Qi Liangqin's ambiguous behavior.

But letting him lean on him like this didn't seem appropriate either.

After thinking for a while, Yan Bozong finally decided to pretend to be asleep, feigning ignorance.

Light from the window flickered between brightness and darkness. In that shifting glow, Qi Liangqin opened his eyes.

He hadn't meant to lean over; he had simply been drowsy, and the moment his head fell onto Yan Bozong's shoulder, he had woken up.

Yet, inexplicably, he found himself overwhelmed with a boldness he couldn't explain. He didn't immediately straighten up. Perhaps in that instant of waking, his first thought had been whether the Yan women across from them had noticed. He dared not move rashly, afraid of making any obvious motions that would lead to embarrassment.

So, he remained against Yan Bozong's shoulder for a second or two in silence. He seemed to realize that no one had noticed him, not even Yan Bozong, who appeared to be deeply asleep and unaware that he was leaning over.

A sudden sense of greed took root in his heart—a desire for this fleeting, false warmth. He was tired, and leaning against the man he liked—just that thought alone made his heart feel warm, as if it had been soaked in hot tears, softening completely.

He could smell the unique scent of Yan Bozong. Even his breathing was restrained, afraid of making any movement. He didn't dare to rest his full weight against Yan Bozong's shoulder; instead, he used his waist to support himself, maintaining a tilted posture. Holding still like this was tiring, but he was unwilling to let go of this stolen moment of happiness.

What was love like? Perhaps like spring flowers, blooming in full, intoxicating the heart. Perhaps like feathers, gently brushing against the soul. Or perhaps, like Qi Liangqin, carefully leaning against Yan Bozong.

Qi Liangqin thought to himself, he longed for love—not just physical desire. Of course, he wanted to experience passionate entanglements and the mingling of bodies, but he also yearned for this kind of quiet companionship.

Suddenly, the car came to a stop. Qi Liangqin saw that they had arrived at the Yan family's main gate. The old gatekeeper, Old Li, came over to open it, and the car continued forward. There was still some distance from the gate to the house, and only small lights were turned on, leaving the surroundings in a dim glow, filled with lush greenery.

Qi Liangqin's heart pounded. He was going to pretend to be drunk.

Drunkenness had always been an excellent tool for seduction. Since he had the intent to seduce, Qi Liangqin naturally wouldn't waste this opportunity.

He pretended to be completely out of it, unresponsive no matter how he was called.

"He was already stammering earlier; the aftereffects must have kicked in," Yan Yuan said. "Big Brother, he's your responsibility now."

With his eyes shut, Qi Liangqin couldn't see Yan Bozong's expression. He only heard Yan Yuan and Madam Yan getting out of the car, and Madam Yan grumbling, "Drinking without any restraint…"

Qi Liangqin barely dared to breathe. Then he heard the driver in the front seat say, "Do you need my help?"

"No need," Yan Bozong replied. "Just call Songwei in a while and see if he needs a ride back. Tell him to drink less."

"Understood."

The next moment, Qi Liangqin felt himself being lifted—carried in a humiliating princess carry.

The sudden drop startled him, and he almost instinctively reached out to wrap his arms around Yan Bozong's neck. Luckily, he held back just in time.

With Yan Bozong's long and powerful arms holding him, his head rested against the man's broad chest.

He was still thin, and Yan Bozong carried him effortlessly. Up ahead, he could vaguely hear Yan Yuan speaking. Qi Liangqin peeked through barely opened eyes and saw Yan Bozong's expressionless face as he carried him. His breathing remained steady, as if he felt no strain at all.

Sensing that Yan Bozong might look down at him, Qi Liangqin quickly shut his eyes again. But he could still feel that scorching gaze, making his ears burn with shame. The night concealed his embarrassment, but then Yan Bozong suddenly whispered, "I know you're pretending."

Qi Liangqin wasn't sure if he had truly been exposed or if Yan Bozong was just testing him. But he knew one thing—as long as he didn't open his eyes, Yan Bozong couldn't do anything about it. He wouldn't call him out in front of Madam Yan and Yan Yuan.

So, he pressed his lips together and remained motionless in Yan Bozong's arms.

"What's going on?" Aunt Chun asked in surprise.

"He drank too much," Yan Yuan replied. "Good thing he's a man—if he were a woman, we wouldn't even be able to lift him. Second Brother isn't home, so what else could we do? Let Big Brother carry him?"

"I'll go make him some hangover soup."

"Yan Yuan, open the door."

Yan Yuan quickly walked over and pushed open the bedroom door. Light from the hallway spilled into the room, providing just enough illumination to make out the path. She didn't enter, instead turning to the living room to get some water.

Using the faint glow, Yan Bozong carried Qi Liangqin into the bedroom. Just as he was about to reach the bed, his foot caught on something, nearly causing him to stumble.

The sudden jolt startled Qi Liangqin, and he instinctively let out a soft gasp, immediately wrapping his arms around Yan Bozong's neck.

And then, Yan Bozong's movements came to a halt.

Qi Liangqin opened his eyes, staring blankly at Yan Bozong.

In the dim light, Qi Liangqin could only vaguely make out Yan Bozong's sharp and handsome face, but his eyes gleamed brightly as he stared at him.

"Qi Liangqin," he said, "you—"

"I like you," Qi Liangqin blurted out, cutting him off.

The moment he said those words, his mind roared as if his entire being had collapsed. Desire surged uncontrollably, breaking through all restraints.

"Big Brother, I like you."

The arms holding him seemed to tremble. Then, with a sudden exclamation, Qi Liangqin found himself thrown onto the bed by Yan Bozong.