Wrapped in each other's arms, they slept peacefully through the night.
In the two years since Sheng Linyou had been passed from hand to hand, warmth and comfort had become rare luxuries.
He woke because something was wrapped around him—or, more precisely, because he could no longer breathe. His throat felt blocked, as though someone had clamped a hand around it and refused to let go.
“Mm—”
Sheng Linyou's eyes flew open. He dragged in a breath and found the familiar ceiling above him and that familiar sweet scent surrounding him.
Yin Xigui.
In his dream, a snake had slithered down his arm, coiled around his neck, and tightened until it strangled the air from him. Now that he was awake, he realized the snake was Yin Xigui's arm. The young man was holding him with startling force, as though trying to press him into his very bones.
“Yin Xigui. Hey. Wake up.”
Sheng Linyou barely squeezed the words through his throat as he pried at the arm. He did not dare use too much strength. The delicate young master bruised so easily—what if his skin turned red and he started crying again?
Fortunately, Yin Xigui soon blinked awake beneath Sheng Linyou's persistent calls. Mist clouded his eyes, and his sleepy voice came out as a mumble.
“Mm, what is it? I'm tired…”
Sheng Linyou swallowed, his throat brushing Yin Xigui's arm. Only then did the young man seem to understand. He snatched his arm back.
“Ah! I-I didn't do it on purpose.”
Yin Xigui sprang to the other side of the bed, face burning red and hands crumpling the covers.
“Not on purpose?” Sheng Linyou leaned over him instead. He caught that fair, slender arm and pressed it against the red ring around his neck, his fingers stroking the back of Yin Xigui's hand. “You held me awfully tight. Look what you did. Don't you owe me compensation?”
Yin Xigui flushed even deeper. “I understand. I'll get some ointment.”
He tugged his arm free, hurried to a cabinet, and pulled a white case from the corner. When it opened, Sheng Linyou saw bandages, antiseptic, needles, and medicine—everything one could possibly need.
From the bed, he stared at Yin Xigui's back.
Why would an illegitimate son keep such a complete medical kit? And that strength just now…
“Brother, let me put some medicine on it. My brothers hit me often, so I keep plenty of supplies.”
The thought broke apart. Yin Xigui faced him with reddened eyes and such naked guilt that it stabbed straight into Sheng Linyou's chest.
Suspicion vanished beneath a wave of badly timed irritation.
“You nearly strangled me, and I'm not the one looking aggrieved. What are you upset about?”
Sheng Linyou climbed out of bed, took the supplies from him, and pushed him down on the edge of the mattress.
“Hey. I told you not to cry.”
“I-I'm not.” Startled, Yin Xigui rubbed his eyes wildly, only making them redder.
“Tch.”
A clear tear slipped free and landed squarely on Sheng Linyou's hand.
With a helpless sigh, he pulled Yin Xigui's hands away and cupped his face, carefully wiping the tears. “I must owe you from a past life. All you do is cry. You're supposed to be an upper-tier!”
His raised voice made Yin Xigui jump.
“But I don't want to be one…Brother…”
Yin Xigui clutched his sleeve, timid and silent, neither arguing nor complaining. Somehow, Sheng Linyou felt like the guilty one.
He clicked his tongue and said no more.
After Sheng Linyou had wiped away every last tear, Yin Xigui lifted his chin and prepared to apply the ointment.
“I'll be as gentle as I can…”
“Mm.”
The vibration of Sheng Linyou's throat traveled through the cotton swab to Yin Xigui's fingertips. His fingers tightened for an instant before he dabbed on more ointment.
It was cool and faintly numbing, carrying the scent of herbs—and something else.
Yin Xigui leaned closer still. Sheng Linyou looked down and discovered that the young man had practically draped himself over him.
“That's close enough, Yin Xigui. Careful, or you'll fall.”
Strong hands suddenly closed around Yin Xigui's waist. His chin knocked painfully against Sheng Linyou.
“Mm!”
His eyes, barely dry, immediately watered again.
“Brother, what are you doing? It hurts…”
Sheng Linyou wrapped an arm around his waist. “Nothing.” His hand moved lower and rubbed the sore spot gently.
Brother's embrace is so warm.
Yin Xigui's pink hair brushed against him. Then he seemed to remember something.
“Brother, can we go out for a walk?”
Sheng Linyou's hand stilled. As the warmth in his arms withdrew, an inexplicable emptiness opened inside him.
He looked up into Yin Xigui's eager eyes.
“I'm only a lower-tier. If someone bullies me outside, you'll be dragged into it too.”
His tone was careless, though he did not truly mean it. He wound a strand of pink hair around his finger, curious how this particular “upper-tier” would answer.
“That's easy!”
Sheng Linyou's finger stopped.
“I'll just ask Lin Zhi!”
His hand curled into a fist, tugging the strand tight before he released it. “Why ask him? You're an illegitimate son going to another family's young master. He helped once, so now you plan to cling to him? Don't come crying to me when he turns on you.”
“He isn't like that!” Yin Xigui's voice rose, then instantly dropped. “I…didn't mean to shout.”
Sheng Linyou laughed in anger. “Fine. Go on, then. Ask him.”
He shoved the phone into Yin Xigui's arms. “Call.”
Yin Xigui stared for a moment. Then he turned his back, a secret smile curling his lips as he dialed. Lin Zhi answered immediately.
“Hello? Xigui? What's wrong? Did something happen?”
The delight in his voice was unmistakable. Sheng Linyou glared at both Yin Xigui and the phone.
“I want to go out, but I'm worried about my brothers…”
Lin Zhi cut in before he could finish. “Don't worry. It's fine. I've arranged everything just like before.”
“Mm. Thank you. You're so good to me.”
After several more sweet exchanges, Yin Xigui ended the call. He turned and found Sheng Linyou staring at him with a dark, unreadable expression. When Sheng Linyou suddenly smiled, guilt flickered through him.
“Brother, shall we go?”
“Mm. Let's go.”
Yin Xigui eagerly opened the wardrobe. It was packed with clothes.
Sheng Linyou had never looked inside. He had assumed it was empty and had even planned to wash his clothes that night so he could wear them again the next day.
He laughed despite himself. “Looks like you really are keeping me. Fine. Let's see.”
He chose an outfit and put it on. Every piece fit perfectly, as if whoever had arranged this had paid particular attention to him.
Some of Sheng Linyou's irritation eased. With a quiet snort, he looked at Yin Xigui, who had changed as well, and raised a brow.
“It suits you. Let's go.”
Before Yin Xigui could react, Sheng Linyou caught his hand and led him away.
Brother is holding my hand.
I love it.
Hold it for the rest of my life, all right? You're already my lower-tier, Brother.