Chapter 183: Chapter 183: I Am Not Willing

After a brief silence, the voice-activated light went out, and everything grew dim.

Yuan Shiyao’s fists tightened, his knuckles turning white from the force and cracking audibly.

He had placed great importance on this time alone with Jiang Qingli.

He’d had a stylist do his hair and pick out his clothes, and he’d even chosen a cologne with a scent similar to hers.

To ensure they’d be alone, he had deliberately given Jiang Qingli an opportunity to make the reservation, then had the entire restaurant cleared, sent Ke An and Ai Bin away, and posted bodyguards downstairs to stand watch.

Yet for the entire evening, Jiang Qingli had treated him as nothing more than a friend, never crossing any lines.

Even when she got drunk, she only let him steady her for a moment before pulling away to create distance.

But why.

So why, the moment Yuan Shimo showed up, did she affectionately wrap her arms around him, press those lips he had coveted for so long against him, and use a soft, coquettish tone she had never used on him?

Why?

He and Yuan Shimo had the exact same face.

Yuan Shimo could be intimate with her.

But he could only watch helplessly as they embraced just a few steps away.

It was as if an invisible hand was squeezing his heart. A bitter pang of jealousy spread through his body, tormenting Yuan Shiyao’s every nerve.

’I want to walk over there, to hold her and kiss her just like my brother does, to even take my brother’s place—’

In his line of sight, the girl squinted her drunken eyes and tilted her face up, her glistening, dewy lips parting slightly. "Didn’t quite hear... Cat Teacher, s-say it again..."

Yuan Shimo pulled his gaze away, kissing the corner of her lips. "I’ll tell you when we get back," he said, his voice gentle.

He helped Jiang Qingli stand straight and smoothed the hem of her skirt. "Should I carry you to the parking garage, female master?"

He stressed the two words "female master."

Jiang Qingli frowned, a little displeased. "Didn’t we agree you’d call me by my name? You’re being disobedient again. Do you want me to pull your tai—"

Before she could finish, long, slender fingers covered her lips.

"Understood, female master."

Yuan Shimo’s eyes curved into crescents. Then, before she could get angry, he pressed a kiss to her lips through the back of his hand and chuckled. "Qingli."

’He’s being so clingy...’

Bewitched by his handsome face, Jiang Qingli nodded in a daze. "That’s... more like it!"

"Alright, I’ll carry you." As Yuan Shimo spoke, he mentally pictured the form for a princess carry.

Jiang Qingli tilted her head. "It doesn’t seem that far. It’s kind of a hassle..."

"You’re not steady on your feet right now. It’ll be more troublesome if you fall," Yuan Shimo said.

He had a point.

Jiang Qingli nodded, then added, "On your back. You can’t carry me in your arms, my dress is a little short."

"Okay."

A small smile played on Yuan Shimo’s lips. Before crouching down, he glanced back over his shoulder.

The voice-activated lights flickered on at the sound of their conversation. Under the warm, gentle yellow light, Yuan Shiyao’s handsome profile looked deathly pale.

They were brothers; Yuan Shiyao naturally understood that when the other had said "female master," it was a deliberate emphasis on his own legitimacy—a warning.

The young man pressed his lips together, saying nothing, his lowered lashes hiding the emotions churning in his eyes.

Yuan Shimo settled into a crouch, motioning for Jiang Qingli to get on his back.

Jiang Qingli swayed as she walked over, steadying herself on his shoulders.

But she was a bit dizzy from the drinks and couldn’t quite get enough leverage.

She frowned in frustration, just as a hand suddenly reached out from the side to steady her arm.

Jiang Qingli looked up to see Yuan Shiyao smiling at her. "Sister-in-law, let me help you."

With that, before Yuan Shimo could react, he helped her get securely onto Yuan Shimo’s back.

Jiang Qingli smiled at her friend. "Th-thanks a lot."

Yuan Shiyao’s smile was that of a perfectly selfless friend. "Of course."

As he spoke, he even thoughtfully pressed the elevator call button for them.

Yuan Shimo: "..."

DING—

The elevator doors opened. Yuan Shimo stepped inside, with Yuan Shiyao following close behind.

A few seconds later, the doors slid shut, and the elevator began its slow descent.

Yuan Shimo glanced at his brother’s reflection in the polished surface of the doors.

The younger brother stood silently in the corner, his presence as quiet and persistent as a clinging shadow.

"Wow, it’s so pretty..." The girl on his back suddenly exclaimed, pointing outside.

Yuan Shimo followed her gaze.

The restaurant’s glass elevator was one of its main attractions. During its ascent and descent, it offered a panoramic night view of more than half the city.

Normally, Yuan Shimo wouldn’t have paid any mind to such things.

But now, with the girl’s warmth against his back, her sweet scent enveloping his senses, and her warm breath tickling his ear as she spoke...

Yuan Shimo suddenly felt that, now that he was connected to her, even this ordinary night had become something beautiful.

Several minutes passed before the elevator reached the parking garage on basement level three.

Lying on Yuan Shimo’s back, Jiang Qingli was starting to feel drowsy.

Sensing her breathing even out, Yuan Shimo softened his steps and walked slowly toward the car.

Yuan Shiyao suddenly spoke. "I didn’t see your butler today. Where did he go?"

Yuan Shimo replied coolly, "Do I need to report my family matters to you?"

At his words, Yuan Shiyao fell silent, once more becoming a shadow that followed them at an unhurried pace.

As they neared the car, Yuan Shimo pulled open the passenger-side door. Just as he was about to help Jiang Qingli down, another pair of hands beat him to it, gently guiding her into the seat.

Right in front of Yuan Shimo, Yuan Shiyao fastened Jiang Qingli’s seatbelt before finally taking a few steps back.

The moment he stepped back, the car door was shut.

The car door cut off the sound. Yuan Shimo no longer concealed his hostility, staring coldly at his brother. "What are you trying to do?"

Yuan Shiyao said, "Brother, I want to take care of Sister-in-law with you."

His breath caught.

Yuan Shimo looked up and saw, in eyes identical to his own, a look of utter seriousness.

He realized Yuan Shiyao was serious.

Serious about wanting to take care of his own wife—his sister-in-law—together with him.

In that moment, Yuan Shimo found the entire situation utterly absurd.

He never knew his younger brother had such a crazy side to him.

The shadow at his feet suddenly swelled, and a powerful, cold force shoved his brother away.

The oppressive force sent the black-haired young man stumbling back a step. He clutched the shoulder that had been forcefully shoved. Specks of light floated up around him, but he showed no intention of retaliating.

Yuan Shimo stared into his brother’s eyes, his voice firm as steel. "I refuse."

Having made his stance clear, he turned and left.

Yuan Shiyao leaned against the wall, watching the car drive away until it disappeared from sight.

His shoulder throbbed, but Yuan Shimo hadn’t used much force. It would probably just leave a bruise.

Yuan Shiyao was in no mood to focus on anything else.

He looked down at his hand, rubbing his fingertips together as if savoring the memory of that brief, delicate touch.

...

In a drowsy haze, Jiang Qingli felt something fluffy and itchy rubbing against her hand.

She struggled to open her eyes, only to find herself already lying in bed, held in Yuan Shimo’s arms.

Looking down, she saw a flash of fluffy white and realized the tickling sensation had been Yuan Shimo’s cat tail.

Yuan Shimo must have given her a sobriety tonic; she felt much more clear-headed now.

Jiang Qingli took hold of the tail.

The cat tail stiffened for a moment before burrowing deeper into her palm.

At the same time, Yuan Shimo lowered his head and pecked her on the corner of the lips.

She wasn’t sure if it was just the late hour, but Jiang Qingli sensed a quality in him that was more urgent than usual.

Jiang Qingli raised a hand to stroke his head, her mischievous fingers giving his snow-white cat ear a gentle tug.

The cat ear twitched.

Yuan Shimo froze. He straightened up slightly, his voice hoarse. "Female master knows what it means to touch a male’s ears, correct?"

Jiang Qingli blinked. "What does it mean? Cat Teacher, I have no idea."

Her face was a picture of innocence, but the laughter in her eyes betrayed her true intentions.

Yuan Shimo arched an eyebrow, his voice slowing. His long, slender fingers found hers, slipping between them to interlace them tightly.

The young man leaned down and captured her lips, kissing her for a moment before pulling back.

He lowered his gaze, his tone tight with restrained emotion, yet feigning seriousness. "Jiang, if you don’t know, then why don’t we study the subject together?"

"First, look into my eyes..."