Qi Ji had never been fond of the taste of alcohol, so he hardly ever drank. Even after being at Yuntu for over half a year, he hadn’t encountered any pressure to drink—most of the staff were young, the office atmosphere was relaxed, and group meals never involved coercion.
Since being with Pei Yusheng, Qi Ji had never been forced to do anything he disliked. When visiting the Xu family in Xiangjiang, he drank milk instead of alcohol. Even that one time in Huating when he was given a sip of Louis XIII, Pei Yusheng had let him drink only half.
So tonight was the first time Pei Yusheng saw him truly drunk.
Once Qi Ji clung to Pei Yusheng’s hand, he stopped crying, sitting obediently like a child being led to a family banquet—though traces of tears still lingered on his face.
Pei Yusheng handed him some ice cream after the meal. Qi Ji ate quietly, sliding closer to rest against Pei Yusheng’s thigh, leaning in intimately. Pei Yusheng’s heart softened completely.
Tonight, the martial club visit was out of the question. Seeing Qi Ji licking his ice cream so obediently, He Xiu didn’t press the matter, letting Pei Yusheng take him home. Before leaving, he called out, “Second Master Pei, we’ll find another time to continue our chat.”
Pei Yusheng nodded knowingly. “Alright.”
He Xiu stayed at the Pujiang Hotel, while Pei Yusheng took Qi Ji back to the Tan Palace Villa in his car. In the back seat, Qi Ji was peaceful—he didn’t fuss despite being drunk, insisting on sitting close with legs touching. Pei Yusheng chuckled. Truly a clingy little thing.
He had the driver raise the divider between front and back, leaving just the two of them. Pei Yusheng reached over and cradled Qi Ji steadily in his arms.
The boy nestled against him, resting his cheek on Pei Yusheng’s chest and gently holding his hand. Qi Ji’s body was cool to the touch, like smooth jade, a soothing contrast to the oppressive summer heat. Night lights streamed through the car window, painting a warm glow on his soft, fair skin.
Pei Yusheng bent down and kissed the boy’s illuminated cheek. So gentle. So beautiful. The best child in the world.
Qi Ji stayed quietly in his arms, still holding his hand. Pei Yusheng kissed him twice, then restrained himself, gently holding the small hand in his own.
Soon, he felt a subtle pressure from Qi Ji’s fingertips. Looking down, he saw the boy staring intently at his palm. Catching Pei Yusheng’s gaze, Qi Ji gave a small glance and froze.
Pei Yusheng smiled faintly, kissed his forehead, and spread his fingers, letting Qi Ji play with them.
The ride felt tranquil, and the long journey seemed brief. Arriving at the villa, Pei Yusheng didn’t put him down—carrying him inside.
Normally shy about being carried, Qi Ji this time reached up to hold Pei Yusheng’s neck, nestling obediently.
Inside, Bai Bai and Pang Pang were asleep in their cat nests. Pei Yusheng stepped lightly, but the boy in his arms felt even softer than the tiny kittens.
He carried Qi Ji upstairs, removed his shoes, offered water—everything went smoothly until bath time.
Summer heat made Pei Yusheng worry that Qi Ji would be uncomfortable if he slept without washing, so he prepared a warm towel to clean him. Even with preparation, this simple task became unexpectedly difficult—not because Qi Ji resisted, but because he was far too cooperative.
The problem wasn’t with the boy—it was Pei Yusheng himself. His usually decisive movements became clumsy, and that hesitation only intensified the situation. Looking into Qi Ji’s trusting, dependent eyes, he felt overwhelming guilt for the thoughts that arose.
After finishing, Pei Yusheng’s own back was dotted with sweat. Once he cleaned himself quickly, he carried Qi Ji out. The boy remained obedient, only letting out two soft hums when Pei Yusheng went to fetch pajamas.
Pei Yusheng returned promptly, fed him warm milk, and after rinsing, wrapped him in a soft blanket.
Once in bed, Qi Ji leaned in slowly, finding a comfortable spot and curling into Pei Yusheng’s arms.
Pei Yusheng exhaled. Sweet torture.
Seeing Qi Ji so dependent, he refrained from overstepping. He caressed the boy’s soft cheek and whispered, “Qi Qi… ready for sleep?”
Usually, milk alone made him sleepy, and tonight he had also drunk alcohol and endured a bath. Pei Yusheng wanted him to rest early.
But he felt the soft brush of Qi Ji’s hand on his palm, followed by a mumbled voice: “I’m not sleeping.”
Pei Yusheng brushed his cheek gently. “Then what do you want to do?”
Qi Ji, usually reading before bed, slowly murmured: “I want to see you, sir.”
Pei Yusheng’s fingers tightened, almost betraying his self-control, leaving a faint mark on the boy’s face. He closed his eyes briefly, restraining himself, and looked down.
From this angle, he could see Qi Ji’s porcelain-like ears turning red. Drunk yet still shy, he spoke more openly than usual, nearly breaking Pei Yusheng’s composure in a single sentence.
He steadied his breathing and asked, “How do you want to see me?”
Caressing the tear-stained eye corner, he added, “Do you want me to hold you?”
Blushing, Qi Ji nodded obediently: “Yes.”
Pei Yusheng’s hands slid along the delicate neck and back, his warm palms pressing against the small hollow of Qi Ji’s waist, drawing him closer. The boy pressed in further, lashes trembling like tiny brushes on the heart.
Pei Yusheng’s chest heaved slightly. Just as he was adjusting, Qi Ji tilted his face up, eyes shining, staring unblinkingly.
Pei Yusheng’s heart softened. “What is it?”
Qi Ji hesitated, ears flaming, wanting to speak but keeping his lips sealed, only staring at Pei Yusheng’s mouth.
Pei Yusheng guessed his thought but, unusually, didn’t act immediately. Instead, he asked patiently: “What do you want me to do?”
Over time, he had seen the boy slowly thaw, revealing his soft core. Yet past injuries made him overthink and restrained, even with Pei Yusheng. He habitually said “thank you” or “sorry,” fearing he would be troublesome or disliked.
Pei Yusheng patiently helped him release those burdens, encouraging him to relax and enjoy life—to speak freely about his desires.
“Qi Qi?”
Biting his lip, the blush spreading from eyes to ears, Qi Ji finally whispered under Pei Yusheng’s gentle guidance: “I want you to watch me… kiss me.”
Pei Yusheng smiled, leaning down, his voice low and warm.
“Correct.”
The summer night was gentle, strawberry sweetness spreading more intoxicating than alcohol. Every hesitant answer was coaxed out slowly, and Pei Yusheng’s patience, steadiness, and care guided his little one to freely express his wants.
He wanted to spoil his child utterly, without limits.