Mr. Pei! Don't force yourself into circles you can't fit into.

In the afternoon, my father went out to play mahjong with his friends. With him gone, everyone was free.

No sooner had their father left than Shen Jicheng looked pitifully at his older brothers, but Shen Mingxiao ignored him. Shen Yanhe, however, couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Go, and come back soon, try to get home before Father arrives."

Shen Jicheng was overjoyed and immediately slipped away.

Immediately afterwards, Shen Qingcheng, having finished her makeup and wearing high heels, awkwardly entered the living room. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, slightly embarrassed,

"Big brother, second brother... you know, I just broke up with my boyfriend and that's when I need someone to be with me..."

Shen Mingxiao felt a headache coming on, too lazy to pay attention, and got up and left.

Shen Yanhe chuckled helplessly, "Honey, the rhinestones on your nails are blinding."

After saying that, he added, "Go early and come back early."

Shen Qingcheng blew a kiss, then left without hesitation.

In the end, Shen Yanhe was left alone in the living room. His smile faded, and he sat on the sofa for a long time, lost in thought.

His thoughts were interrupted by the incessant ringing of his phone.

After answering the phone, the agitated voice on the other end softened Shen Yanhe's expression. He grabbed his car keys and headed out.

"Weren't you spending the New Year at your brother's place? Why are you insisting on coming here again?"

-

Cafe.

Shen Yu'an sat in the corner by the window, his coat draped over the back of the chair, wearing only a white sweater. His face was expressionless as he stared blankly out the window.

He was brought back to his senses when someone gently tapped the table twice. When he looked over, he was met with a pair of dark, deep eyes.

He froze for a moment.

Shen Mingxiao was the first to look away, his voice devoid of emotion, "Have you been waiting long?"

Shen Yu'an was silent for a moment, then said, "No."

"Just arrived."

After ordering two drinks, Shen Mingxiao looked at Shen Yu'an, his gaze lingering on his face for a moment. The scar on his face had completely scabbed over and fallen off, but a slight white mark could still be seen upon close inspection.

Shen Yu'an noticed the other person's timing; his eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he reached up to touch his face. "Is it that obvious?"

Shen Mingxiao snapped out of his daze, looked away, and said, "It's alright."

And so, the two sat facing each other in silence, neither of them uttering a word.

Finally, Shen Mingxiao broke the silence.

He took out a card from his pocket and handed it over.

There are five million in here.

"Take it."

Shen Yu'an's eyelashes trembled, and her fingertips touched the cold card. "Shen Mingxiao, what do you want to say?"

What did you say?

How could I not have guessed?

Now that Uncle Quan has been arrested, he is safe.

Of course... as Shen Mingxiao said before, he was also free.

It has nothing to do with Shen Mingxiao anymore.

"From now on, study hard." Shen Mingxiao's expression was cold, his eyes indifferent.

"You promised me that you would never do anything bad again."

Shen Yu'an chuckled softly, but her eyes reddened as she clutched the card and looked at Shen Mingxiao.

"So...you've made up your mind?"

"From now on, we will never see each other again?"

Shen Mingxiao's gaze lingered on Shen Yu'an's reddened eyes for half a second, but he remained unmoved, coldly delivering his verdict.

"Yes."

that moment.

Tears streamed down Shen Yu'an's face, his smile bitter. "Okay..."

"I agree."

He raised his hand to wipe the moisture from the corner of his eyes, his voice slightly low and hoarse, "Do you still remember when we were under the full moon, I asked you to grant me a request?"

When the matter was brought up, Shen Mingxiao paused slightly; he remembered it.

The full moon provided him with clues, but in return, she made him agree to one condition, which she never mentioned.

At this moment, Shen Mingxiao frowned, "I still stand by what I said, I cannot hurt my family."

Shen Yu'an lowered her head and smiled bitterly, "I can't hurt your family..."

"Then what am I...?"

Shen Mingxiao pursed his lips and did not answer.

Shen Yu'an didn't want an answer. He swallowed hard, his gaze falling on Shen Mingxiao's wrist, and spoke with difficulty.

My condition is...

"I want you to always wear that string of obsidian."

Shen Mingxiao remained silent for a moment. Shen Yu'an thought he would refuse, since there was a location involved, which Shen Mingxiao knew.

"Okay," Shen Mingxiao agreed.

Shen Yu'an finished his cup of bitter coffee, got up, picked up his coat from the back of his chair, and walked outside. After taking two steps, he stopped.

She turned her head to look at Shen Mingxiao and said softly.

"Shen Mingxiao, I wish you freedom."

After leaving those words, Shen Yu'an turned and left without looking back.

When Shen Mingxiao heard this, his fingertips trembled slightly, and he almost dropped his coffee cup.

The card was left on the table. Shen Yu'an didn't take it. Shen Mingxiao reached out and took the card back, but he didn't expect there to be a note underneath it.

Shen Mingxiao paused slightly and slowly unfolded the note.

The familiar handwriting, it belongs to me.

That was what he left behind under the full moon.

No wonder he knew...

-

"Well……"

Shen Jicheng's eyes were misty with tears as he glared at Pei Lin, feeling deeply wronged.

Pei Lin chuckled. Shen Jicheng looked so adorable that he couldn't resist taking advantage of him. He grabbed Shen Jicheng's chin and leaned down on him.

"Pei Lin, you've gone too far!" Shen Jicheng complained indignantly.

However, Pei Lin merely chuckled softly, his voice slightly hoarse, "Too much? Doesn't my baby want me to go too far?"

Shen Jicheng: "..."

"You came all this way just to chat with me?"

Pei Lin smiled, raising an eyebrow, and said...

"I got it?"

Shen Jicheng's cheeks flushed red, but he still stubbornly retorted.

"I don't!"

Pei Lin knew he was being disingenuous, but didn't call him out on it. She simply went along with his words, "That's what I was thinking, okay?"

A hint of a smile played on his lips. "I really want to tease Chengcheng so much."

"Can I bully you?"

Shen Jicheng felt his head getting even hotter. He couldn't meet Pei Lin's burning gaze at all, so he nodded haphazardly and reluctantly said, "Alright then... then you should watch your behavior..."

Pei Lin was amused by Shen Jicheng. "Mind your manners?"

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with tiny glints of light. "What's the idea?"

Before Shen Jicheng could speak, Pei Lin continued to ask.

"Such a sense of proportion?"

"Well……"

"Still like this?"

"Um……"

"Or... like this?"

"Well!"

Finally, Pei Lin leaned down and kissed Shen Jicheng.

"Sweetie, I'll take you to see the fireworks."

Shen Jicheng had a bad feeling, but Pei Lin blocked all his words, leaving him unable to speak and only able to passively accept it.

Fireworks burst open outside the cold glass.

Pei Lin, worried that Shen Jicheng couldn't see, deliberately positioned him facing the floor-to-ceiling window, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"Honey, do you like the fireworks outside?"

"I prepared this especially for you."

Shen Jicheng's back and legs ached terribly, and he said angrily.

"Pei Lin! You bastard!"