Chapter 27 [VIP]

Back in the small courtyard of the villa, just in time for dinner, Chenmian hurried over, picked up her bowl and chopsticks, and moved closer to Shen Jinshan.

The moment her nose touched the scent of the mature man's cologne, Chenmian's tone immediately turned a little aggrieved: "Brother, why weren't you with us this afternoon?"

If Shen Jinshan were here, Lin Langli definitely wouldn't dare to treat him like that.

This is absolutely outrageous!

After speaking, Chenmian unconsciously touched her lips again, still a little unaccustomed to the slight swelling. The sensation of being forcefully kissed seemed to linger there, burning hot.

How come he was so stunned by the kiss that his brain was completely blank, and he felt like he was going to be dumbfounded? He didn't even know how to bite back.

Shen Jinshan turned his gaze to the side. In the dim night, Shenmian's white skin shone brightly, but her lips were redder than usual. The man's gaze was drawn to that bright color and wandered over to her.

Chenmian noticed her brother's gaze and pursed her lips.

Shen Jinshan withdrew his gaze and slowly rinsed the bowl with hot water: "Brother has some work to take care of this afternoon. What, you've missed me after just a short time apart?"

It was just a casual joke, but to everyone's surprise, Chenmian nodded vigorously, her eyes wide open and her face full of sincerity, "I miss you so much, brother. Can I sleep with you again tonight?"

Her soft, sweet tone was like she was pleading with him. Shen Jinshan chuckled, but shook his head: "Mianmian, your brother has to continue working tonight, so I can't stay with you."

In the past, Chenmian would have continued to whine and act spoiled, but now, facing the object of her affections, the young man only paused for a moment, then his expression turned a little pitiful, but he still agreed verbally.

Seeing this, Lin Langli's expression darkened. He moved to sit next to Chen Mian and gently served him food. As he leaned down, his lips almost touched Chen Mian's earlobe, and he whispered in a breathy voice that only the two of them could hear: "Seduce someone else in front of me again?"

Lin Langli's crazy words from that afternoon still echoed in her ears. Chen Mian froze, subconsciously glanced at Chen Ci across from her who was starting to look suspicious, and then lowered her head to eat her food obediently.

That night, Chenmian certainly didn't go to find Lin Langli. He was really frightened that afternoon, and what Lin Langli said during dinner that evening was even more frightening.

In Lin Langli's eyes, were all the scenes of him being with Shen Ci or Shen Jinshan just him seducing others and flirting with them?

That's really twisted.

But Chenmian couldn't help but recall the time when Lin Langli forced her to kiss him. She felt her mind was completely blank and her body was weak and powerless. She felt an almost unbearable pleasure—it felt so good, but the person she was kissing was not quite right.

Chenmian thought that Lin Langli's skills seemed to have improved by leaps and bounds in a short period of time, which was truly unfathomable.

So, your mouth skills are superb, but what about the rest?

He couldn't bear to think about it. Chenmian tossed and turned in Shen Ci's blanket until the bedside lamp was turned on. The person next to him impatiently grabbed him and propped himself up slightly to look at Chenmian's lips.

After looking at it for a while, Shen Ci said, "Your lips... why are they still so red? Are they that spicy?"

Chenmian nodded, her heart pounding, but her tone remained natural: "Um... I ate a lot of the chili peppers from that bamboo forest stir-fried chicken last night, so the effects probably haven't subsided yet."

Shen Ci's eyebrows twitched. He saw that Shen Mian's eyes were moist, her lips were red and her teeth were white, and she had a pure yet alluring look. Shen Ci was stunned by the description he had used to describe Shen Mian, but his actions were inexplicable. He touched the boy's lips with his fingertip and felt that they were soft, full, and warm. If he were to kiss them...

He shook his head vigorously. How could he think that? Chenmian was his older brother, whom he had known for over a decade.

Even if he doesn't resemble his brother at all, even if they aren't related by blood, he is still...

Shen Ci's mind slowly began to find his thoughts rather strange. He couldn't believe the thought that had suddenly popped into his head, yet he couldn't help but think about it more deeply, and he didn't feel disgusted at all.

My gaze returned to his sleeping face. He lay obediently beside him, his black hair cascading down the pillow, the dark bedding making his skin appear even whiter.

Shen Ci's eyelids twitched slightly; it seemed like he hadn't seen such a scene in a long time.

Struggling to suppress the turmoil in his heart, Shen Ci turned off the light, but then couldn't fall asleep.

—

On the last day of the holiday, the family went out for a picnic during the day to relax, and then everyone went back home in the afternoon.

The thought of separating from Shen Jinshan and living with Lin Langli again made Shen Mian feel dizzy and she wanted to bring up old grudges and go stay with Shen Ci.

But at that time, he did not agree to Shen Ci's request.

Not to mention after being forced to kiss Lin Langli again and developing a closer, secret relationship.

I can't even imagine what kind of earth-shattering things Lin Langli, that madman, would do if we went to Shen Ci's place.

With a droopy brow, Chenmian got into the car to go back.

After being forced to kiss Lin Langli, Shen Mian avoided him, hiding in Shen Ci's room at night and leaning against Shen Jinshan during the day.

But when he returned to his residence near the school that night, as soon as he stepped into the elevator, an invisible sense of oppression from Lin Langli instantly overwhelmed him in the enclosed space.

The elevator ascended. Sleepyhead felt a chill run down his spine, a deep unease creeping over him.

Lin Langli leaned against the stairwell, his eyes scanning the sleeping body inch by inch with ease.

"Did you have fun last night and during the day? Well, it's the last time I'll be so close to someone, so I have to be generous."

He spoke of slumber as if it were his possession.

Chenmian felt her blood run cold. She looked up at the other person in the space. Lin Langli's unfathomable black eyes clearly reflected his panicked face, like a frightened rabbit, with his eyes turning slightly red.

Humiliation and fear intertwined, almost making him flee. Chenmian took a deep breath and said tremblingly, "Don't you feel disgusted? Doing that with a man... I am a man, after all."

Lin Langli chuckled softly, echoing his thoughts: "Other men are disgusting, unimaginable, but you're different." His gaze lingered on the boy in front of him, his tone becoming enigmatic, "You're cute, um, and you're also very horny... Why are you looking at me like that? You're the one seducing me."

The elevator arrived, and Chenmian rushed off. Lin Langli was terrifying; wouldn't he turn into a puff pastry if he were with such a potentially strong criminal?

After returning, Lin Langli did not continue what he had done in the elevator.

But the mess from that day was still brought back here. Lin Langli no longer avoided Chenmian by leaving early and returning late as before. Instead, he often appeared, or even hovered in the living room, his presence so strong that it suffocated Chenmian.

Chenmian was afraid of being touched by Lin Langli's grass, so she cautiously avoided any possibility of being alone with Lin Langli.

He calculated Lin Langli's class schedule, staggering his meal and washing times. He even dared to secretly take the small bread into the room and touch it a couple of times only after confirming that Lin Langli's door was closed.

As soon as she hears the sound of the lock on the door next door, she immediately retreats to her own room, locks the door, leans against the door, and her heart pounds like a drum.

This evasion did not anger Lin Langli; on the contrary, it pleased him, or rather, satisfied Lin Langli's perverse desire for control.

He wasn't in a hurry to expose the truth and take the next step; instead, he enjoyed the slumbering fear, like a cat playing with a mouse.

Occasionally, when the two meet in the living room or other public spaces, the young man will stop without hesitation and let his gaze fall intently on Shen Mian.

The gaze was no longer the pure disgust or cold scrutiny of the beginning, but was mixed with something that made Chenmian's scalp tingle - an almost playful yet determined look, as if assessing whether an object was obedient and when it could be possessed.

That look in his eyes was as if he were being violated through his clothes, a complete simplification of sex.

These days of fear and trepidation didn't last long. Chenmian couldn't bear it any longer, and her heart was gradually replaced by a stronger determination.

He could no longer passively wait for Lin Langli's next move.

He had to find something powerful enough to suppress Lin Langli.

The only reliable backer can be Shen Jinshan.

What's even more interesting is that he likes Shen Jinshan. This makes his emotional motives seem purer and more subdued, less like he would resort to any means to stay.

The young man began to devote all his energy to observing Shenjin Mountain.

Through various channels—subtly inquiring about Shen Ci, looking through the photos Shen Jinshan occasionally posted on social media, and even privately asking Shen Jinshan's assistant—they pieced together everything about Shen Jinshan.

He learned that Shen Jinshan preferred simple yet high-quality items, and that he had worn the understated Patek Philippe on his wrist for many years; he learned that Shen Jinshan not only had mild mysophobia but also obsessive-compulsive disorder, and that his office and residence must always be kept clean and tidy; he learned that Shen Jinshan was extremely focused when working and disliked being disturbed...

—The more you dig, the more panicked you become; every single one of Shen Mian's actions has perfectly stepped on Shen Jinshan's landmines.

He was flashy and loved to dress up. He had a great fondness for glamorous, sparkly, and dazzling trinkets. The blind box figurines and dolls in his room took up an entire room, and the clothes, shoes, and other accessories in his walk-in closet were almost as numerous as those in Su Yueqiu's collection.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder about cleanliness? He even used the men's bathtub without any manners when he went to his older brother's house during the holidays.

She would often bother him during work hours, loudly demanding that her brother accompany her, and sometimes throwing a tantrum if he didn't.

Shen Mian bit his knuckles, looking very troubled. But then he thought, Shen Jinshan had already tolerated all of this, so didn't that mean he was already very forgiving of him?

Is tolerance a form of liking?

In addition, Shen Mian also vaguely sensed that Shen Jinshan seemed to have a special fondness for a certain niche Swiss fountain pen brand, supposedly because it was a gift from a friend when he was young, and he had been using it ever since because he found it convenient.

The young man's heart began to stir. Catering to his interests was the most direct way to get close to him.

However, the bank card did not have much money in it. Although Shen Mianjun reactivated the supplementary card for Shen Mian, the credit limit was far less than before.

Since Lin Langli returned, Chen Mian has gotten used to no longer using her balance, but instead using the money from Chen Jinshan, Chen Ci, and Lin Langli to spend lavishly.

However, the remaining balance is more than enough to buy a fountain pen.

Her hand was about to press the payment button when Chen Mian suddenly had a better idea—to use Lin Langli's money to buy a gift for Shen Jinshan.

Just like the provocation, the thrill of revenge overwhelmed him, his heart raced, and he couldn't help but feel smug. He could almost imagine Lin Langli's ashen face when he found out.

What's the point of just playing with him? Even if Lin Langli really wants to sleep with him, he should at least pay the price with some foreplay.

Without much hesitation, Chenmian ordered the brand's limited edition new fountain pen.

Shen Jinshan was running errands near the school over the weekend and stopped by to visit them.

Upon receiving the news, Chenmian was so nervous that she barely slept the night before.

“Brother, you’ve come.” On the day Shen Jinshan arrived, Shen Mian nervously and happily handed over the gift, shyly saying, “This is for you. I noticed that the fountain pen you usually use seems to be worn out. I heard that this brand is quite good.”

Shen Jinshan was clearly surprised, raising an eyebrow at him but not immediately taking it.

His gaze lingered on Shen Mian's face for a few seconds, as if pondering the motives behind this sudden attentiveness.

Chenmian felt a little uneasy under his gaze, and her heart beat even faster.

"Why did you suddenly think of giving me this?" A few seconds later, Shen Jinshan asked, his voice as gentle as ever, but upon closer listening, it clearly carried a hint of imperceptible aloofness.

"I... I just felt it suited you." Chenmian tried to make her voice sound natural. "Thank you, brother... for carrying me down the mountain last time." Was that a good reason?

Lin Langli, standing to the side, let out a very soft, short chuckle. Although he didn't say anything, the mockery in his eyes was almost overflowing.

Chen Mian's cheeks flushed slightly as she gazed longingly at Chen Jinshan.

Shen Jinshan remained silent for a moment, then finally accepted the gift, saying calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, but there's no need to spend money on this in the future."

He opened the box, glanced at the expensive pen, made no comment or expression of delight, then closed the lid and casually put it aside.

This is nothing like I imagined. Just a few days ago, he and his brother were having a great chat...

Chenmian felt a little disappointed, but more so annoyed by the emotional feedback he received. However, just as he was about to show his true nature and throw a tantrum, he calmed down after meeting Lin Langli's gaze. He sat down and picked at his nails, and after a while, he hugged the little bread to his chest and stroked it.

Shen Jinshan seemed oblivious to his odd behavior and instead inquired about Lin Langli's studies. The two began their conversation, leaving Shen Mian standing aside.

Having never been so coldly ignored by Shen Jinshan, Chenmian hung her head in dejection, buried her head in the belly of a small bread roll, and sighed.

Although Shen Jinshan was talking with Lin Langli, he was glancing at Shen Mian out of the corner of his eye.

Seeing the confusion, annoyance, and a hint of grievance on Shen Mian's face, Shen Jinshan was still puzzled.

Chenmian has been checking on him quite a bit lately, and when his assistant first reported this to him, he didn't take it seriously.

But then the boy sent him more and more messages, and he liked to act cute and affectionate with him. The screen of their daily chats was so long that it would look like a long message.

Once, while socializing, I took a break to reply to Chenmian's message. The boss next to me glanced at the page and actually asked if I was chatting with my partner, saying that we were being so intimate.

Shen Jinshan wondered, is intimacy only allowed with lovers? Can't it be done with a younger brother?

But in the end, it brought back the terrible memories of that night.

It must have been during his university years when Shen Jinshan hurriedly returned home from school. It was already midnight when he got back. At that time, he had just taken over some of the company's affairs and was extremely busy.

When I got back, I had to deal with work first, and I didn't even have time to go back to my room to change clothes and take a shower.

He didn't turn on the lights, but sat down in the living room to handle his business. The space was dimly lit, with only the moonlight streaming in from the window.

Finally finishing his work, he went upstairs and suddenly heard a soft call, tinged with uncertainty: "Brother?"

Shen Jinshan frowned and looked up.

At the top of the stairs on the second floor, the young Chenmian stood there, holding a water cup in his hand.

Shen Jinshan recalled the last time he saw when he closed his computer; it was almost three o'clock, and Shen Mian was still awake.

His health is so poor. If he stays up late, he won't be able to get up the next day and will feel tired and sleepy. Soon he will fall ill.

Chenmian rubbed his eyes. He was wearing a short silk nightgown that revealed his pale arms and legs. Not all the buttons were fastened, and the collar was askew, revealing half of his other shoulder.

Under the moonlight, Shen Jinshan glanced casually, and once he did, he couldn't take his eyes off it.

By then, Chenmian had already grown tall and stood there, her skin very fair, something he had known for a long time.

But unexpectedly, it was even whiter and more striking in the night, like a night-blooming cereus, delicate and translucent, with a breathtaking beauty.

He could see the face of the boy, or the young man, very clearly, every inch of it.

Her slumbering, raven-like eyelashes trembled slightly, her lips parted a little in fright, and her eyes were dazed. Combined with her expression, she was enveloped in a pure and innocent allure.

Shen Jinshan's Adam's apple bobbed uneasily.

An eerie silence filled the air, with only the faint sound of each other's breathing audible.

The boy felt uncomfortable under his gaze and stammered, "Brother, go to sleep early," before trying to avoid him to go downstairs to get water.

Because of these words, Shen Jinshan looked away, his tone losing its usual calmness, even becoming colder and harder than usual: "Aren't you cold wearing so little when you come out for a drink of water?"

The boy paused for a moment, then asked in confusion, "How can it be cold in summer? I sleep with the air conditioning on."

Shen Jinshan was also stunned, never expecting to say such a thing. How could a young man be afraid of the cold in this kind of summer?

He looked away, no longer gazing at Chenmian, and went straight upstairs to his room, as if the long gaze they had just shared was merely their imagination.

Back in his room, he quickly took a cold shower, and the air conditioning in the room was set very low.

But the man still felt waves of heat coming over him, but he ignored them and went to bed to sleep.

But in the middle of the night, he woke up to a familiar yet strange restlessness. Returning to reality from that enchanting dream, Shen Jinshan felt a deep and fearful self-loathing.

Just because of that casual glance, that young, beautiful body that was completely unguarded against him was forever imprinted in his mind.

Shen Jinshan was disgusted with himself, but he could not cool down or quell the burning desire and longing in his heart. In the ensuing dreams, he became more and more ashamed.

During that period, Shen Jinshan lived in constant anxiety. He forced himself to calm down, to stay away from the slumber, and to curb this dangerous trend.

It wasn't until he was filled with deep self-reproach and disgust that he finally developed psychogenic erectile dysfunction and became calm and undisturbed.

Shen Jinshan then resumed his role as a good older brother, returning home as if nothing had happened and continuing to treat Shen Mian well.

As for Chenmian, he was having a lot of fun with Shen Ci during that time, and even went sailing during the holidays, completely unaware that his brother had not returned home for more than a month.

Shen Jinshan smiled as he waited at home for Shen Mian to return from her trip. After receiving the gift his younger brother had brought him, he gave him a hug as usual.

There was no movement, very good. Shen Jinshan's smile became more genuine. He was finally free from living in a sorry state. The desires that had nearly destroyed him during this period had finally dissipated.

Yet he still despised himself. He loathed this feeling of being out of control, loathed the powerlessness of being dominated by primal desires, and loathed projecting these desires onto his younger brother whom he had watched grow up.

But it wasn't until Lin Langli was recognized that Shen Jinshan was told that Shen Mian was not his younger brother, but just a child who had been switched at birth.

A person with whom he had no blood relation.

But so what? Shen Jinshan didn't care much; he still wanted to distance himself from Shen Mian.

But Chenmian suddenly became attached to him, constantly trying to get close to him and please him. When she was wronged, she would snuggle into his arms. When she was sick, she would ask him to comfort her and feed her medicine. When she ran away from home, she would ask him to carry her back. She even wanted to sleep together...

It slipped again.

For him, being approached and fawned upon by a dormant man would only lead him deeper into self-destruction.

What does it matter whether he is his brother or not?

A note from the author:

Yes, he can't right now...