The moment they entered the room, Shen Jibai shut the door.
When he looked up, his gaze was immediately caught by Ye Jingchuan.
Jingchuan had just finished bathing, water still glistening on his skin. A black silk nightdress clung tightly to him, tracing the firm, smooth line of his waist.
His muscles were strong and beautifully defined, full of power without looking coarse—the very image of an Alpha's charm. Even in a nightdress, he could not hide the sharpness in his bones. No one could afford to underestimate him.
His pale skin looked even whiter against the lamplight and the black fabric, lightly flushed by the thin anger beneath it. He looked irresistible, yet untouchable.
The corners of Ye Jingchuan's eyes tilted slightly upward. His deep violet eyes were like mysterious black holes in the universe, capable of swallowing a person's soul. But beneath them ran a cold wariness, an invisible wall that shut out anyone trying to draw near.
Shen Jibai stared, entranced. His throat moved unconsciously, and heat gradually filled his eyes.
“Jingchuan, you really are every bit as delectable as I imagined...”
His magnetic voice was faintly hoarse, suggestive enough to unsettle anyone who heard it.
At the compliment, all of Ye Jingchuan's muscles tightened. He immediately turned, intending to push Shen Jibai out of the room.
But Shen Jibai did not move. With one arm, he pulled Jingchuan into his embrace and pressed him against the door.
“Shen Jibai, what are you doing?!” Ye Jingchuan struggled, but Shen Jibai held his wrists in an unbreakable grip. Fury blazed in his peach-blossom eyes; he looked ready to cut the man above him to pieces.
Ye Jingchuan thought: he was still Shen Xiuchen's husband in name. If this murky situation with Shen Jibai became known, the mere question of propriety would condemn him beyond redemption.
Shen Jibai put on an obedient expression and softened his voice. “Brother-in-law, I missed you, so... I wanted to see you. And if I could sleep beside you, that would be even better.”
Ye Jingchuan could not bear to hear another word. He raised his hand and slapped him hard.
The crack was sharp.
Shen Jibai did not dodge. Ye Jingchuan's strength was considerable; a clear red handprint immediately rose on half of Shen Jibai's face.
Shen Jibai caught Jingchuan's hand, kissed the back of it, and asked carefully, “Did you hurt your hand, Jingchuan?”
His words were so intimate that it sounded as though they were lovers having a small quarrel, and the slap had merely been flirtation.
Ye Jingchuan was dizzy with anger at Shen Jibai's absurd way of thinking. He resisted the approach and tried to break free, but it was useless.
Then Shen Jibai gripped his waist and lowered his voice beside his ear. “Jingchuan, behave. You know that when I go mad, there is nothing I won't do. Don't blame me when that happens—when I force you to finish, one by one, all the things you ought to do for me.”
Ye Jingchuan went rigid.
He understood. This lunatic was threatening him.
“Shen Jibai, get out!”
He struggled fiercely. Shen Jibai only gave a low laugh and kept him pinned in place.
Looking at the crazed, shameless Alpha before him, Ye Jingchuan ground his teeth. “Touch me tonight and I swear you'll regret it!”
A strange expression flickered through Shen Jibai's eyes as he watched Jingchuan's face redden with rage. It vanished quickly, replaced by a half-smile and an obsession too deep to hide.
“Even if you mean to make me regret it, Jingchuan, you will have to wait until you properly belong to me.”
Ye Jingchuan froze. His pupils contracted. “W-what do you mean?”
Shen Jibai lifted his brow. “It's simple. You cannot leave me. My brother is dead, but you can marry me instead.”
“Shen Jibai, you've lost your mind!”
Ye Jingchuan had never imagined he would hear something so insane. Two brothers sharing one husband? No great family would ever permit such a thing. The Ye family was not as powerful as the Shen family, but its reputation was excellent and its rules strict. Even remarrying would be difficult for him—remarrying his dead husband's younger brother would meet frenzied opposition.
And Ye Jingchuan had his pride. He had his pride! He was not a masochist. He would never agree to Shen Jibai's delusional plan or volunteer to suffer.
“Don't forget, Jingchuan. I am the head of the Shen family now.” Shen Jibai's voice was calm. “The only question is whether I want this. Whether you agree is not important. I am informing you, not asking. Don't worry about the Ye family or gossip outside. I will make the Ye family consent, and I will make everyone else keep quiet.”
As he spoke, his hand moved to Jingchuan's back, lightly stroking down his spine and making his body tremble.
“A younger brother succeeding an elder brother is not encouraged here, but powerful families are full of far uglier things. I only want to marry my brother's partner. Compared with those filthy matters, it is perfectly ordinary.”
“...Prepare yourself. Once we are married, I will raise little Yu as my own son.”
At those words, Ye Jingchuan fell silent. Surprise and shock filled his eyes, and he could not say a word. He had never expected Shen Jibai to truly harbor such a plan.
Watching his expression, Shen Jibai continued to coax him. “Don't blame me for being cruel. It is for our future. Besides, you know my feelings better than anyone, don't you?”
“Marry me. Use me. Accomplish what you want. Isn't that what you have always done? Why won't you do it with me now?”
“Jingchuan, do you think I am worse than my dead brother? What do I lack compared with him? Why did you use him, but not me?”
Ye Jingchuan had no answer.
Taking his silence for compromise, Shen Jibai's delight spilled over. “As long as you agree, I can give you anything—even the Shen Group. What do you think?”
Ye Jingchuan did not believe a word. He shook his head. “I refuse. Shen Jibai, give up on this.”
It was not because he still loved Shen Xiuchen. He simply knew Shen Jibai too well: sweet words, a hidden blade; lies without end; no scruples when he wanted something. Ye Jingchuan would not be fooled by honeyed promises.
Shen Jibai was disappointed, but not ready to give up. “Think about it. There will be many advantages if you marry me. Compared with what you gain, what do all the other things matter?”
“I will transfer the Ye Group shares in my hands to you as soon as possible, as a gift. Play with them as you please. You can have more money, more power—whatever you want. Don't you want that?”
His voice became gentler and lower, carrying a powerful, seductive pull. Ye Jingchuan began to waver despite himself.
Was Shen Jibai telling the truth? Could he truly have those things?
The possibility filled his eyes with struggle and hesitation.
“Have you thought it through, Jingchuan?”
Shen Jibai's voice entered his ears again, like a spell made only to corrupt the heart. Ye Jingchuan could not fully control the desire rising within him. He did want what Shen Jibai had named. Wealth and power were the things most capable of moving people—the things everyone dreamed of possessing.
“Jingchuan, are you listening?” Shen Jibai called again.
But Ye Jingchuan seemed completely lost in thought. No matter how Shen Jibai called to him, he gave no response.
A cunning smile flashed in Shen Jibai's eyes. His broad hand slid slowly down Ye Jingchuan's bare back and beneath the hem of his nightdress. At the touch, desire rose in his heart.
“Jingchuan, do you want me too...?” His voice held a deliberate note of temptation.
Ye Jingchuan came back to himself and, realizing how close he had come to being deceived, kicked Shen Jibai in anger.
Shen Jibai sighed, lifted him up, and pressed him onto the large bed. Then he bent over him and fiercely kissed the lips he had desired for so long.
Ye Jingchuan's breath caught. His hands caught at Shen Jibai's shoulders, and then he used all his strength to try to shove him away.