Within the solemn halls of the Pei family mansion, Pei Ningyu entered alongside Pei Bosheng. Behind them, Pei Xu had already been waiting in the study for quite some time.
Pei Xu held a short whip coiled around his arm. Upon seeing Pei Ningyu accompanied by a friend, he immediately released the whip, his gaze slowly sweeping over his currently well-behaved younger brother.
Truth be told, when Pei Ningyu chose to behave, his appearance worked greatly to his advantage. Beneath that fair complexion, dark hair, and well-proportioned frame, no one could discern the vile thoughts hidden within.
Even Pei Xu, who knew his younger brother’s mischievous nature all too well, couldn’t muster the will to discipline him at this moment.
The normally stern general made an effort to soften his tone when speaking to his brother: “Ningyu, a new friend?”
He naturally assumed Pei Ningyu had brought a companion to avoid being scolded in front of company. He never wished to embarrass his younger brother before others.
Such petty schemes didn’t annoy Pei Xu; on the contrary, he found them somewhat endearing.
To his surprise, Pei Ningyu let out an exaggerated “Ah!” and feigned astonishment: “Brother, don’t you recognize him?”
Only then did Pei Xu carefully examine the person Pei Ningyu had brought along. His smile immediately faded as he lowered his eyes and gave Pei Ningyu a look that clearly conveyed his displeasure.
Pretending not to understand, Pei Ningyu casually addressed Pei Bosheng in his usual tone: “I’m already starving. How about you, Bosheng?”
Pei Bosheng watched as Pei Ningyu’s face suddenly drew near. The shifting of those glass-like eyes emitted a pearlescent glow, that eager gaze almost instantly distorting the detestable image of Pei Ningyu he held in his heart.
“Well, Bosheng?” When Pei Bosheng failed to respond, Pei Ningyu’s voice carried a subtle threat. His lips pressed into a thin line, his slender eyebrows arching to reveal bone-chilling malice.
Pei Bosheng’s heart instantly cooled. He averted his gaze slightly and, under Pei Ningyu’s murderous stare, managed to utter a single “Mm.”
Pei Ningyu then flashed an innocent smile: “Brother, let’s talk over dinner.”
“You taught me last time to learn respect and kindness toward others. I think I’ve learned a great deal.”
“Bosheng here is so pitiful, he’s actually our brother after all.”
Pei Ningyu deliberately paused at this point, glancing at Pei Xu’s darkening expression while suppressing a smirk.
Looking at Pei Bosheng’s spineless demeanor, he probably wouldn’t even differentiate into an alpha. Whether he became a beta or omega later, they could just give him away easy enough to handle.
For now, Pei Ningyu simply wanted to use Pei Bosheng to irritate Pei Xu.
He continued: “yet he lives worse than our servants. We share the same father ultimately, we shouldn’t let the grudges of the older generation affect our brotherly bonds.”
“I’ve taken your teachings to heart, learning to be more magnanimous.”
“How about I tell you about Bosheng’s life these years during dinner?”
Pei Xu replied coldly: “Dinner won’t be necessary.” His tone carried distinct detachment.
“He’s been living in our backyard all these years. I know his circumstances better than you do.”
Pei Ningyu looked puzzled. “Brother, aren’t you the one who sympathizes most with those lowly commoners? Just because I had a ‘friendly’ chat with them, you had to discipline me with a whip.”
“Wouldn’t it break your heart to see your own younger brother living like a commoner?”
“After all, Baisheng is also my brother,” Pei Ningyu added, dissatisfied with Pei Xu’s indifferent reaction, calling out cheerfully to Pei Baisheng, “Right, brother?”
“I didn’t want to punish you in front of outsiders.”
“But it seems you don’t care, Pei Ningyu.”
The general stood up, his towering figure casting a dark shadow over the edge of the woolen carpet, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure. His tone was icy and unyielding.
“Come here.”
Pei Ningyu lowered his brows, silent. “…”
