6:00 PM.
The Song family’s birthday banquet was held at a private club.
It took them over an hour to drive there from home.
Upon arrival, the car door was opened, and Shen Yuqing stepped out first. He raised his head slightly to glance at the club this one was clearly more upscale than the places he and Lin Sui usually frequented.
Quite a few people were already heading inside. Shen Yuqing scanned the crowd, recognizing several faces often featured on financial news channels.
Thanks to Pei Yiyan’s habit of watching TV, he had become familiar with quite a few of them.
Just as he was observing, Xiao Zhao approached Pei Yiyan. For events like this, Xiao Zhao typically waited outside. After guiding Pei Yiyan to Shen Yuqing’s side, he got back into the car and followed the attendants’ directions to park and wait.
Shen Yuqing turned to look at Pei Yiyan. They were once again dressed in matching formal suits another set sent by Shen Zhen. This time, they wore classic black, tailored to perfection, lending Pei Yiyan an air of refined elegance.
Still, Shen Yuqing thought Pei Yiyan looked better in green.
“Let’s go in,” he said.
They had taken a bit longer, so Shen Zhen and his wife had already entered ahead of them.
Pei Yiyan gave a quiet hum in response, tapping his white cane forward first, though his gaze also swept over the high-profile guests streaming inside.
The Song family had clearly spared no expense tonight there must be something big in the works.
After taking a step forward, Shen Yuqing suddenly paused and sighed, turning back to Pei Yiyan.
Pei Yiyan remained as impassive as ever, lightly tapping his cane to navigate the path ahead. At this rate, it would take them forever to get inside.
Shen Yuqing pressed his lips together, then shifted slightly to the side. “Follow me,” he said.
He took Pei Yiyan’s hand and guided it to rest on his own wrist. “Hold on. Just walk straight.”
At his words, Pei Yiyan instinctively tightened his grip around Shen Yuqing’s wrist. By the time he thought to loosen it, Shen Yuqing had already started walking forward.
His pace was noticeably slower clearly adjusted for Pei Yiyan’s sake.
Pei Yiyan found himself following without resistance, their proximity narrowing the distance between them compared to before.
Lowering his gaze, Pei Yiyan focused on where their hands connected. Shen Yuqing’s wrist was slimmer than he had imagined.
Nor had he expected Shen Yuqing to willingly let him hold on like this.
Not too long ago, Shen Yuqing had acted as if he wanted an entire galaxy between them. The realization struck Pei Yiyan it really had been a while. Shen Yuqing had changed so much since then.
Though he didn’t know what had caused such a sudden shift in temperament, he had to admit that the current Shen Yuqing was far more pleasant and easy to be around.
“Two more steps. There’s a staircase be careful.”
Shen Yuqing’s other hand came up to rest on Pei Yiyan’s arm, as if bracing him against a potential misstep.
“Lift,” he instructed.
Snapping back to attention, Pei Yiyan focused on the steps ahead and raised his foot, landing steadily on the next level.
Shen Yuqing glanced down at his feet, ready to catch him at the first sign of a stumble.
Though they moved slower than everyone else, Pei Yiyan took each step with deliberate care, and no mishaps occurred.
After descending the stairs, Shen Yuqing let out a relieved sigh: “We’re about to go in now.”
Pei Yiyan’s fingers tightened slightly again. Shen Yuqing patted his hand reassuringly twice: “Let’s go.”
Their information was already in the system, so they entered the venue smoothly.
From the outside, Shen Yuqing had already thought the venue was well-built, but the interior turned out to be even more luxurious and extravagant. He was utterly astonished by the constantly transforming planetary displays.
The Song family had reserved two floors. They were currently on the second floor, the gathering area, while dinner would be served on the first floor later.
Shen Yuqing hadn’t forgotten his real purpose for coming.
His eyes scanned through the waitstaff moving through the crowd, searching for that familiar figure. Instead of finding Song Wangzhuo, however, he spotted Shen Zhen and his group.
Shen Zhen noticed them too and raised his hand slightly, signaling them to come over.
“My brother’s calling us over. Let’s go,” Shen Yuqing said.
He extended his hand again, intending to place his wrist in Pei Yiyan’s palm. But this time, as soon as their skin touched, Pei Yiyan’s fingers moved and directly clasped his hand.
Shen Yuqing was momentarily stunned. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Pei Yiyan say calmly, “Mm, let’s go.”
Looking down, Shen Yuqing thought, well, holding hands and holding a wrist amounted to the same thing anyway.
Hand in hand, they walked toward Shen Zhen, covering the short distance quickly.
Shen Zhen and Su Geyue exchanged knowing smiles at the sight of their intertwined hands. Then Shen Zhen said, “President Qi, let me introduce you. This is my younger brother Shen Yuqing, and this is my brother-in-law Pei Yiyan.”
Naturally, President Qi recognized Pei Yiyan. Back when the Pei family was at the height of its power, everyone had sought to establish connections with them. Moreover, after Pei Yiyan was tested to have double-S-level mental energy, his name had already resounded throughout elite circles.
At that time, everyone had competed to forge some relationship with the Pei family. But before any bonds could be formed, tragic news arrived instead.
Looking at Pei Yiyan now holding a white cane, his eyes bright yet unable to see President Qi felt a pang of regret, but also a subtle sense of relief.
A top-tier double-S alpha, had he developed normally, would have undoubtedly expanded the Pei family’s dominance even further. Pei Yiyan’s current condition had actually put many competitors at ease.
Sometimes, one’s own interests far outweighed everything else.
President Qi smiled slightly and said, “What a perfect match the two of you make. Don’t forget to invite me when you get married, I’ll bring a generous red envelope.”
“Thank you, President Qi. We’ll gratefully accept your red envelope in advance, though marriage is still some time away. Yuqing hasn’t graduated yet,” Shen Zhen replied.
“No matter how long it takes, I’ll be waiting,” President Qi said cheerfully.
“Of course, we’ll contact you first when the time comes. By the way, President Qi, I heard you recently.”
Shen Zhen smoothly steered the conversation back to business matters. At events like these, few attendees were genuinely there to celebrate the host’s birthday most came to gather information they wanted.
Seeing them engaged in conversation, Shen Yuqing and Pei Yiyan naturally stood beside Su Geyue.
Su Geyue looked at their clasped hands and said with a smile, “Yiyan, I heard you weren’t feeling well after returning. Are you better now?”
“Sister Geyue, I’m fine.” Pei Yiyan maintained a polite demeanor toward the Shen family members. “It’s just the sudden temperature changes and lack of rest. I’ll be fine after some sleep.”
Su Geyue nodded. “Good to hear.”
The three continued their conversation, though it mostly consisted of Su Geyue asking questions while the other two responded.
Shen Yuqing felt a vibration from the smartband on his wrist. Instead of checking immediately, he signaled a waiter carrying juice to approach them. While the server refilled their glasses, he discreetly glanced at the message.
It was from Song Wangzhuo, saying he’d already arrived at the Song family banquet just arrived.
Shen Yuqing simply replied with an “Okay” to acknowledge the message.
Coincidentally, Lin Sui also sent a message asking if he’d arrived yet.
Noticing Shen Yuqing fiddling with his smartband, Su Geyue asked, “What are you looking at?”
Pei Yiyan sipped his juice quietly, having clearly observed Shen Yuqing’s subtle movements. What kind of message required such secrecy?
“Ah,” Shen Yuqing opened the virtual screen, displaying his conversation with Lin Sui. “Sui’s here, asking if I’ve arrived.”
Pei Yiyan could clearly read Lin Sui’s message but felt puzzled why would such an ordinary message need to be checked so discreetly? Something felt off.
Su Geyue made an understanding sound. “I’ve heard this Lin boy always follows that Omega younger brother of the Song family around. Is that true?”0
“It’s hard to say,” Shen Yuqing replied.
Su Geyue nodded knowingly. “So, it’s true then.”
She glanced around and finally spotted the Song family Omega near the stage. “That Song family Omega is that him?”
Shen Yuqing looked briefly before turning away. “Yes, Song Lejin.”
“Song Lejin what a pleasant name,” Su Geyue remarked. “I often see his social media posts. He seems like a gentle Omega.” Gentle?
Shen Yuqing couldn’t bring himself to agree. From their first meeting, he’d maintained a cautious distance from Song Lejin, and subsequent events had only reinforced his wariness.
With a light laugh, he changed the subject. “Sister-in-law, with you two out today, didn’t the little ones tag along?”
At the mention of her children, Su Geyue’s expression softened further. “Your brother and I just returned and have been busy with work. We sent them to my mother’s this morning they’ll probably stay there for ten days or so.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “That makes sense. You and brother have been working hard. I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines.”
Su Geyue playfully pinched his ear. “You little rascal.”
Just then, his smartband buzzed again another message from Lin Sui saying he’d arrived and was waiting at the entrance.
Seizing the opportunity, Shen Yuqing said, “Sister-in-law, Lin Sui needs me for something. I’ll go meet him.” He then turned to Pei Yiyan, hesitating briefly before adding, “I’ll be back soon.”
Pei Yiyan pressed his lips together. When Shen Yuqing looked his way, he’d thought he might be invited along and had already prepared to accept. Yet surprisingly, Shen Yuqing showed no intention of including him.
