CHAPTER 132: WE SLEPT LATE

Jian Ci smirked. "Is this the first time you realized that?"

For the second time that night, the two of them fell into a friendly tussle, limbs tangling, laughter muffled by the covers. This time, Yu Xi managed to come out on top, barely escaping Jian Ci’s grip. He sat on the floor, brushing himself off. "If you break my bed, I will ban you from my room."

Jian Ci chuckled, unbothered. "Then you can come sleep in mine."

Yu Xi snorted, rising from the floor and walking away.

"Where are you going?" Jian Ci called after him.

"None of your business," Yu Xi retorted.

Jian Ci grabbed a pillow and hurled it across the room. Yu Xi caught it effortlessly.

"Hurry up and come back," Jian Ci said, his voice softer now. "I can’t sleep without you."

Yu Xi tossed the pillow back at him, expression unreadable, before disappearing into the bathroom, leaving Jian Ci staring after him.

He smiled happily as he tucked the pillow under his head, his expression one of pure contentment.

Meanwhile, Yu Xi’s cheeks were burning, his pulse racing in a way he couldn’t control. He pressed a hand against his chest, trying to steady himself. Loving Jian Ci was both a pleasant and torturous feeling—it was like standing before a rose, close enough to breathe in its fragrance, yet knowing that touching it meant risking the sting of thorns. And right now, it felt as though those thorns had pierced his flesh.

He splashed his face with cold water again and again until the heat in his cheeks subsided. Only after cooling down did he wipe his face, sighing heavily before stepping back out.

Jian Ci glanced at him immediately, his smile bright and unrestrained. "Come to bed, Little Xi."

Yu Xi groaned. "Stop calling me Little Xi with that creepy smile."

Jian Ci doubled down, his grin widening. "Come on, Little Xi, come sleep with gege."

Yu Xi narrowed his eyes. "If you don’t stop being a creep, I will kick you out."

Jian Ci laughed, ignoring the threat, and tugged Yu Xi back into bed.

"For heaven’s sake," Yu Xi muttered, struggling against him. "Are you trying to strangle me?"

Jian Ci tightened his arms around Yu Xi and murmured, "If you stop running away, I won’t hold you so tightly."

Yu Xi gave him a look, his tone teasing. "You are bullying me."

"Shhh, don’t make trouble," Jian Ci whispered, his voice soft but firm.

Yu Xi: "..."

Jian Ci slept soundly, unlike the restless night before. Yu Xi too found peace, relieved that no one was kicking him in their sleep. He slept so deeply that he didn’t wake up at his usual early hour.

It was only when Xiaobao wandered into his room, rubbing her eyes, that Yu Xi stirred. Her steps froze instantly when she saw the two of them cuddled together in bed. She was on the verge of screaming when Yu Xi quickly pressed a finger to his lips, shushing her.

Xiaobao covered her mouth, her eyes wide. She then gestured frantically while mouthing what the fuck is going on. Yu Xi gestured aggressively for her to leave.

But Xiaobao shook her head, whispering, "I am not going anywhere."

Just then, Jian Ci mumbled something incoherent in his sleep and hugged Yu Xi even tighter. Yu Xi mouthed get the hell out, his glare sharp. Xiaobao only smiled menacingly before finally turning to leave.

An hour later, Jian Ci and Yu Xi came downstairs, one following the other. Jian Wei looked up, exasperated. "Finally awake. Your sister has been torturing me to death."

Jian Rui leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing slightly as Yu Xi finally joined them at the table. "You woke up so late. Are you sick?" he asked, his tone calm but probing.

Yu Xi opened his mouth to reply, but Jian Ci jumped in first, cheerful as ever. "We slept late," he said casually.

Xiaobao perked up immediately, her curiosity sparking. "Doing what?" she asked, watching Yu Xi sit down beside her. She gave him a look that clearly said spill the tea.

Yu Xi shot her a sharp glare, silently warning her to stop talking.

But Jian Ci, eager to fill the silence, leaned forward. "We were chatting till late last night," he said brightly, pouring coffee into a cup and sliding it in front of Yu Xi.

Yu Xi muttered, "Thanks," taking the cup.

Xiaobao tilted her head, her eyes darting between them. "Is that why I heard a scuffle last night? Like someone was fighting?"

Jian Wei, mid-sip of his coffee, choked and coughed, his eyes widening. Jian Rui’s gaze flicked between Jian Ci and Yu Xi, studying them carefully. On the surface, nothing seemed out of place, but something was undeniably off. Jian Ci looked energetic, almost glowing, while Yu Xi seemed drained, his eyes heavy as though he hadn’t slept enough.

If Jian Rui didn’t know better, he would have thought his brother was some kind of energy vampire, sucking Yu Xi dry.

Jian Wei finally spoke, his tone incredulous. "You two fought last night?"

Jian Ci stirred his coffee with exaggerated care, adding spoonful after spoonful of sugar until the liquid was more like sugar flavored with coffee. He sat down with a satisfied grin and announced, "The usual." Taking a sip, he paused, frowning. "Wait a minute—the rooms are soundproof. So how could you hear anything?"

Xiaobao crossed her arms, her tone sharp. "That’s not the point. The point is you were in my brother’s room last night, and I got kicked out."

Jian Ci smirked, leaning back smugly. "Because I am his favorite."

Xiaobao narrowed her eyes. "Really? Because to me it seems like—"

Before she could finish, Yu Xi quickly covered her mouth. "Don’t we have somewhere to be?"

Xiaobao made muffled mmm mmm sounds, glaring at him. Yu Xi sighed. "I will be back later tonight."

Jian Ci’s smile faltered. He wasn’t happy at all. "Can’t I come too?"

Jian Rui shot him a look. "Are you his tail? Everywhere he goes, you want to go?"

Jian Ci bristled. "I wanted to go and watch Mech battles with him. I already bought the tickets"

Xiaobao seized the opportunity, pulling Yu Xi’s hand away. "I want to watch Mech battles!" she declared.

Jian Ci’s grin returned, sly and unyielding. "Sure—as long as you let me come with you."