Night had just fallen when Sheng Linyou reached the teahouse.
The proprietor glanced at him, eyes pausing on his collar before looking away. Sheng Linyou ignored him and went upstairs. Warm light spilled through the half-open door at the end of the corridor.
Inside, Yin Xigui's soft voice said, “Send me those documents tomorrow.” Li Nian answered, followed by rustling paper.
Sheng Linyou pushed open the door. Both looked up. Li Nian stiffened; Yin Xigui's smile froze.
“Brother? Why are you here?”
Sheng Linyou entered and shut the door. Several pages covered in dense text lay on the table.
“Finished talking?” he asked evenly.
“Almost. We're packing up. Sit down and I'll—”
“I said come home when you're finished.”
Yin Xigui pressed his lips together, swiftly gathered the papers into a folder, took his coat, and reached for Sheng Linyou's sleeve. “Let's go home, Brother.”
Sheng Linyou did not move. He looked past him at Li Nian.
“Mr. Sheng again,” she said calmly.
“If I hadn't come, I wouldn't know how enthusiastically you discuss business here.”
“I told you: we're helping Yin Xigui escape his family. Sit down and read the documents if you don't believe me.”
Before Sheng Linyou could answer, Yin Xigui tightened his grip and tugged him toward the door.
“Brother, let's go,” he whispered. “It isn't safe here.”
“What isn't safe?”
“I saw Yin Ou's men circle downstairs twice. Let's leave. I'll explain at home.”
Sheng Linyou took his hand—but the door opened from outside.
A slender man in his early thirties stood there in a tailored black coat. His sharp face wore the suggestion of a smile, though his eyes held none.
Yin Xigui's hand tightened. “Cousin. Why are you here?”
Yin Rui entered soundlessly and looked from Li Nian to Yin Xigui.
“Passing by. I heard you've been visiting this teahouse often, so I came to see what keeps you busy.”
Yin Xigui smiled with innocent sweetness. “Having tea with Miss Li. You know Father arranged it.”
“Ah, the Li family's young lady.” Yin Rui's penetrating gaze made Li Nian straighten. “You two are getting along well, meeting every few days.”
“We need to understand each other before marriage.” Yin Xigui edged against Sheng Linyou as if seeking shelter. “Why stand there, Cousin? Have some tea.”
“No.” Yin Rui leisurely adjusted his cuff. “I only came to check on you. Yin Ou said you've been restless lately and asked me to watch you. But you look fine.”
At last, his gaze traveled over Sheng Linyou like a buyer appraising merchandise.
“So this is your lower-tier?”
“His name is Sheng Linyou,” Yin Xigui said, his voice flattening.
“Oh.” Yin Rui ignored the correction, his smile deepening. “He does look capable. I heard he dislocated Yin Ou's arm?”
Sheng Linyou did not answer. He shifted half a step, shielding Yin Xigui. Yin Rui noticed, arched a brow, and turned toward the door.
There, he paused. “Xigui, your father's health has been poor. Visit him more often. Don't spend all your time outside…”
His eyes slid toward Sheng Linyou. “…with disreputable people.”
Then he left.
Silence held the room. Li Nian put the folder in her bag. “I'll go. We'll discuss today another time.”
At the door, she gave Sheng Linyou a meaningful glance and disappeared.
Yin Xigui still held Sheng Linyou's hand. His fingers were icy and his knuckles white.
“Yin Xigui. Who was that?”
Head lowered against Sheng Linyou's arm, pink hair hiding his face, he answered, “Yin Rui. My cousin—and the man certain to become the next head of the Yin family.”
“Why did he come?”
After two seconds, Yin Xigui looked up. His eyes were red, lips pressed together like a child too wronged to cry.
Sheng Linyou's resolve broke at once. He cupped his face and wiped the moisture from one eye. “Why are you crying? I didn't scold you.”
Yin Xigui sniffed, voice trembling. “I know Brother is unhappy. But he's dangerous. He saw us together, and he'll tell my father. Father will…send you away.”
Sheng Linyou's fingers stilled. “If he dares—”
“He will. You don't know the Yin family. They have a thousand ways to make someone disappear.”
Sheng Linyou pulled him against his chest, one palm protecting the back of his head.
“I told you I won't let him send you away,” he said into the pink hair. “Do you hear me?”
Yin Xigui nodded against him.
They stood embraced beneath the warm light, their shadows merging on the wall until no one could tell where one ended and the other began.
Sheng Linyou's phone vibrated. An unknown number had sent a message:
“Yin Rui is investigating your relationship with Yin Xigui. Watch yourself.”
He recognized Lin Zhi's old number. Pocketing the phone, he held Yin Xigui tighter.
“Let's go home.”
Yin Xigui pulled away, eyes wiped dry except for a trace of red. His little finger hooked Sheng Linyou's.
“I'll cook for you when we get back.”
“Mm.”
“The braised pork you liked last time.”
“Mm.”
“Don't be angry with me.”
Sheng Linyou looked at his earnest, placating face and pinched the tip of his nose. “I'm not angry.”
Yin Xigui smiled and led him outside.
The night wind met them. Sheng Linyou raised Yin Xigui's collar, and Yin Xigui huddled close as they walked beneath the amber streetlights.
At the corner, Sheng Linyou noticed a black car with dark windows. He looked away and tightened his grip on Yin Xigui's hand.
“From now on, I'm coming with you.”
“But Brother, aren't you—”
“I'm following you. Wherever you go.”
Yin Xigui was quiet for a second, then rubbed his head against Sheng Linyou's shoulder. “All right. If Brother comes, I'll buy you something delicious.”
Looking at his bright eyes and curved lips, Sheng Linyou felt that old doubt rise again. But he merely ruffled the fluffy pink hair.