Chapter Text
The air in the room was heavy, a suffocating cloud of a perfect blend of aged rum and orange blossoms- the signature cologne of Sheng Shaoyou enveloped the room in an iron grip. It was pitch black, basking in the soft glow of moonlight penetrating through the window. As the moonlight enlightened the isolated sanctuary, the room seemed to breathe with a thousand eyes. Hundreds of photographs overlap with each other, scattered across the walls, doors, windows, bed frame, and furniture. The left wall featured photographs taken during business meetings, galas, and family dinners in which Shaoyou was smiling. His perfectly sculpted face was highlighted in every corner of the room. Even in the group photographs, his face was cropped out with meticulous care, whereas the remaining characters were discarded carelessly in a trash can. The right wall of the room consisted of numerous pics that were taken without consent, ranging from blurry to grainy. In some pics, he was visibly upset, while in some others, he was smiling softly. Some pics reflected his sweaty body during an intense gym session, while in another pic, he was seen talking on the phone. Some pics were taken from a distance, while some others were taken from close by. The centre of the room was occupied by a huge round-shaped bed covered with a bedsheet and blanket stolen from Shaoyou's room, and some of his stolen clothing items were placed along the perimeter of the bed, giving it an impression of a secure nest filled with the overpowering scent of Shaoyou's natural scent and cologne. The wall opposite the bed was filled with numerous paintings that captured the man's beauty in its rawest form. Dominating the wall behind the bed was a massive painting of a naked Shaoyou, enclosed in a heavy, elegant gold frame. The ceiling was covered with the most creepy snippets of his daily life, the private moments of any normal human being, such as bathing, sleeping, undressing, etc., were recorded in the form of medium-sized pics covering the ceiling. A strand of hair taken from Shaoyou's comb was kept carefully in a glass jar with a golden lid, which was placed on the side table along with a silver cufflink that Shaoyou accidentally dropped during a family dinner.
This was not just a room; it was a shrine.
A shrine devoted to Sheng Shaoyou by his devotee Hua Yong.
Hua Yong was sprawled on the bed, tucked securely inside the protection of the barricades formed with the stolen clothes of Shaoyou. This is the only place where he can sleep without any worries.
This is the only place where he feels Shaoyou's strong presence, and no one interrupts him worshipping the man who has stolen his heart since childhood.
Hua Yong is the fifth and youngest son of his parents. After his birth, his parents neglected him while his own siblings bullied him for their sick entertainment purposes. He endured everything till one day a young guy took a stand for him. When his elder brother tried to use him as his punching bag for venting some pent-up frustration, 10-year-old Shaoyou stepped in and taught his brother a lesson. Shaoyou was the son of a family friend, so after he rescued Hua Yong, his siblings stopped messing with Hua Yong, thinking he had bagged support from the mighty Sheng Shaoyou.
The gesture was simple, but for Hua Yong, who had only seen parents' neglect and bullying at the hands of elder siblings, the arrival of Shaoyou felt like a breath of fresh air. Hua Yong felt as if a tired wanderer in the desert had finally managed to find an oasis.
Shaoyou wasn't his saviour; he was his obsession, his love, his kryptonite. Yong won't mind burning the world to please his Mr. Sheng, and he would definitely not mind destroying himself for Shaoyou.
Since childhood, A-Yong has only fantasized about Shaoyou.
Shaoyou is his fixation.
His salvation.
He wants to devote his entire world to this man.
He wants to hide him under his skin away from this cruel world.
A man like Shaoyou is too pure for this world.
He is too good for his vile family.
They don't deserve him.
His pathetic sister Hua Ning doesn't deserve him.
She is only trying to curry favour with him; she doesn't love Shaoyou the way he did.
Why does Shaoyou have to marry that menace? This question always bothers him.
Shaoyou deserves a life filled with love and care that Hua Yong is more than capable of giving him, so why does he have to marry that pretentious lady?
Hua Yong gritted his teeth when he thought about the marriage alliance between the Hua and Sheng families.
He is also a Hua; he can marry Shaoyou, but no one will allow him.
His parents want to marry off their so-called perfect daughter. Hua Ning doesn't even deserve to be his maid, and his parents are trying to form a relationship between them.
Yong lifted one of the stolen shirts and wrapped it around his torso. He sniffed the strong scent of Shaoyou's body and cologne. His mind was immediately disconnected from the gruesome reality, and he felt the comforting presence of Mr. Sheng around him as if shielding him against the agony his brain was carving for him. He closed his eyes, enjoying the affection showered by the figment of Shaoyou in his haven. A-Yong rubbed intricate patterns on the fabric as if Shaoyou's body was pressing against him. He bites the collar, staking his claim on that sensitive neck. He clutched the shirt tightly around him as if this piece of fabric were his ultimate solace. His lips instinctively peppered tender kisses all over the white shirt as if marking his territory against every single person who wants to install himself in his Shaoyou's life. The world in the background faded as soon as the protective scent of Shaoyou intoxicated his senses. He wasn't alone; his Mr. Sheng was grounding him with his weight, whereas Hua Yong was completely captivated against his embrace.
The imagination that only belonged to him and to his precious Mr. Sheng was interrupted by a phone call.
Hua Yong grumbled in annoyance before answering the call of his most trusted man, Chang Yu.
"Boss, today Ms. Hua has asked Mr. Sheng for a date at the X hotel." Chang Yu spoke blankly, knowing very well that his boss won't be happy with this news.
Chang Yu is in charge of the affairs revolving around the marriage pact. Whenever the Hua family makes a move to bring Hua Ning and Sheng Shaoyou close, Hua Yong spoils their plan without any hesitation. Chang Yu is well aware of his boss's obsession with Shaoyou. He has seen his boss acting from the shadows every time someone tries to get close to his man. Chang Yu is sure that the marriage is not going to happen as long as Hua Yong is there. He won't allow anyone to take Mr. Sheng away from him.
"Did Mr. Sheng agree?" A-Yong asked with a hope that Shaoyou might have refused her.
"He has agreed." Chang Yu answered, already fearing the outcome of this situation.
"He shouldn't have." Hua Yong whispered coldly while making a firm eye-contact with one of his photographs on the ceiling. "Hua Ning doesn't deserve his time and attention."
Hua Yong bites the cuffs of Shaoyou's shirt before a wicked smirk appears on his face. "Kidnap him, A-Yu."
Chang Yu was shocked by his boss's demand.
"Boss, are you sure you want to do it this way?" He tried to assure himself that he hadn't listened wrongly.
"Kidnap him and bring him to my penthouse. He can have his date with me. Be gentle while handling him. If I spot a single scratch on him, I won't spare anyone."
"Understood, boss."
"Make him unconscious for a few hours, or else how will we enjoy our date?" Hua Yong smirked while rubbing the cuff of Shaoyou's shirt on his semi - hard cock, his eyes closing in anticipation.
"I will handle everything, boss."
The call disconnected.
"Mr. Sheng let me take a bath. I need to dress up for our date." Hua Yong buried his face within the pile of clothes, feeling happy about seeing Shaoyou.
Shaoyou came out of the office after a tiring day. Chen Pinming followed him like a responsible secretary.
They sat in the car and discussed some important details of a meeting. The car stopped outside X Hotel. Shaoyou got out and looked at his loyal secretary, who was sitting in the car.
"Pinming, you should go home and take some rest. I am having a date with Hua Ning, and it will take some time. The driver will drop you, and then he can come back and wait for me."
"Have a good evening, Mr Sheng." Pinming bowed respectfully before leaving him alone.
Shaoyou turned towards the hotel entrance, but before he could take a step. His face was suddenly covered with a black cloth. He tried to fight back, but the people injected something in his body, making him lose his consciousness.
Hua Ning was sitting in a private dining room of the prestigious Hotel X, waiting for Shaoyou.
The exclusive, intimate, and highly sophisticated luxurious dining room was balanced by the energetic prestige of a high-end restaurant and the absolute comfort of a private estate. Custom artworks, high-end wallpapers, and architectural details were in sync with the restaurant's theme. The dramatic chandelier covering the centre of the ceiling was supplemented with soft, dimmable architectural lighting. The premium material used in red plush, velvet chairs, and hardwood tables elevated the ambiance of the room. The tables were dressed with crisp linens, fine crystal glassware, and designer silverware. Thick carpets, acoustic wall paneling, and a heavy door made sure that privacy is maintained within the walls.
Hua Ning wanted to impress Sheng Shaoyou at their first official date, so she booked the best room. She has no genuine feelings for Shaoyou, but her family needs this marriage alliance to extract some benefits for Hua enterprises. Their company is facing losses, and there is a strong probability that they can end up bankrupt if the crisis isn't controlled properly. Sheng Shaoyou's family is dead, but the elders of the Sheng and Hua families drafted a marriage pact several years back, so her opportunistic father thought of using that same pact to get Shaoyou on their side. With a powerful figure like Sheng Shaoyou being the Son-in-law of the Hua family, they will gain more reputation, and Shaoyou will help them save their sinking company.
She has been a childhood friend of Shaoyou, but they were never close. Now she has to present herself as a strong, independent, and sophisticated woman to get into Shaoyou's good books. Easily said, then done, she is the complete opposite of the responsible image she has meticulously crafted in front of Shaoyou for the last few months, ever since her father brought the pact into light. Shaoyou, out of respect for his late elders, has agreed to the alliance, but Hua Ning needs to put her efforts into keeping things smooth between them for the future of her family.
She sighed while checking the closed door for the nth time before pulling out her mobile from the clutch and calling Shaoyou. To her surprise, he didn't answer her call.
She kept calling but was met with disappointment.
She was unaware of the fact that her carefully curated date plan was sabotaged by her own younger brother, who was currently holding Shaoyou's mobile and smiling coldly at her desperate calls.
"Tsk! Trying to disturb my Mr. Sheng. Rot in hell!" Hua Yong smirked wickedly before putting the mobile on silent and carelessly tossing it on a couch.
He turned back, and his cold gaze immediately softened when he saw Shaoyou lying on the same bed where he had fantasized about him a few hours back. He was unconscious, still in his work clothes, but his eyes were covered with a red-coloured satin blindfold. Hua Yong smiled and made his way towards his entire world.
He pulled out his camera and clicked pics of what he called 'Nirvana'.
He felt giddy looking at his Mr. Sheng lying within the protective nest formed by his stolen clothes. The perimeter of the bed was filled with his signature cologne, but now the centre was graced by the man himself, who was blessing those stolen sheets with an overwhelming flow of his natural scent. Hua Yong clicked multiple pics of his salvation before stepping inside the nest, lying beside Shaoyou.
He propped himself on an elbow while looking at his unconscious Mr. Sheng.
"You look so tired, gege." He whispered while outlining Shaoyou's perfect jaw with his finger. "You need to rest after a tiring day, but you were forced into a date by that vile woman." He gritted his teeth in annoyance, pushing back the wild thoughts of strangling his elder sister to death.
He pressed his cheek against the warmth of Shaoyou's chest before seething in frustration. "I know you would have been unwilling to spend time with that bitch, but for that stupid marriage alliance you compromised." A-Yong wrapped his hands around Shaoyou's torso, letting his body feel the sweet sensation of closeness. "Gege, why are you so good? My family doesn't deserve you."
He pulled himself up from his chest; moving with quite deliberation, he leaned over him, shadowing him gently from above. The space between them dissolved as Hua Yong shifted to hover gently over Shaoyou, leaving only a soft warmth of their breath fanning on each other's faces. The world narrowed down to the steady rhythm when Hua Yong's soft gaze settled over an unconscious Shaoyou, making the rest of the room completely fade away. He cupped Shaoyou's face softly and joined his forehead with his. The love he has for this man is immeasurable; the devotion he possesses can make anyone look bad. Resting his weight against his gege, he let his inner strength soften into a quiet, radiant affection. He focused the sheer intensity of his inner devotion entirely on the man in his arms. Every beat of his heart and every breath he drew became a silent bridge of love meant for anchoring his gege in a secure, breathless warmth.
"I have worked hard all these years, Mr. Sheng, to become a better person for you." Hua Yong whispered while looking at Shaoyou.
His soft tongue gently traced the curve of Shaoyou's ear while his lips followed right behind to pepper the sensitive skin with light, breathless kisses. "Mr. Sheng, I am more successful than all of my siblings. I love you more than anyone else. How can you marry her?"
Hua Yong caught the knot of the blindfold between his teeth, tugging it loose with his mouth, finally unveiling the serene beauty of Shaoyou's closed eyes. He kissed the blindfold softly before carefully placing it on the side table.
"Gege, I won't let you marry her." He vowed, his voice a low murmur as he pressed a tender kiss against Shaoyou's closed eyelids as if sealing the promise.
A-Yong removed Shaoyou's jacket and tie before opening the buttons of his shirt and revealing his well-toned torso, bulging with muscles and contours of abs. He carefully removed his shirt and traced patterns on his bare skin. "You have such a handsome body, Mr. Sheng. You work hard in the gym. Too bad! Everything belongs to me. Every inch of your body belongs to me."
"You can't disagree with me. You are mine and mine alone. I won't let anyone take you away." His tongue glided over the exposed skin of Shaoyou, marking his territory.
He bit his nipples before kissing them affectionately. Hua Yong opened his shirt; his body was quite lean compared to the bulky body of the man lying on his bed under his mercy.
"Gege, I can't do much without your consent, but let me leave a parting gift on your body." Saying this, he leaned over and bit Shaoyou's chest, hardly before licking the area to soothe the pain. He let out a satisfied smirk after seeing his love bite embellishing Mr. Sheng's torso.
"One isn't enough, gege." Saying this, he repeated the process, leaving marks all over his torso, staking his claim most absurdly.
He pulled out his camera, taking pics of the naked torso of Shaoyou covered with his love bites.
"You can consider them as mosquito bites or love bites, your choice, but they will remind you of our date." Hua Yong mumbled while pressing his lips against Shaouyou.
His arms locked tighter around Shaoyou's upper body, pulling him flush against his chest as his lips pressed into a deep, lingering kiss that carried the full weight of his devotion. He pulled back unwillingly as his control was fading with each passing minute.
"Gege, I am sorry. I wanted our first kiss to be in a romantic setting, but I can't control myself. You are so intoxicating." He spoke breathlessly, pressing his body completely against him.
"You have me wrapped around your fingers, Mr. Sheng." He buried his face into the curve between Shaouyou's neck and shoulder, sniffing him like a hungry animal.
"It's time for goodbye, but I don't want you to leave me." He pouted sadly while kissing Shaoyou's forehead protectively.
"We will soon have a proper date, Gege. I will make way for us."
He kept hugging him before sighing helplessly and leaving the bed unwillingly.
He dressed up Shouyou and himself before carrying him in his arms. He made their way into the parking lot filled with his cars. Chang Yu was already standing beside a car and opened the door for Hua Yong. He carefully placed unconscious Shaoyou in the passenger seat, kissing his forehead, and closed the door.
He looked at Chang Yu, "Mr. Sheng's driver is still waiting in the Hotel X parking lot. Tell him to leave."
"Yes, boss." Chang Yu left while Hua Yong sat in the driver's seat.
He looked at Shaoyou and smiled fondly, "Let's get you home, gege."
After driving for half an hour, they finally reached the apartment complex of Shaoyou. Hua Yong got out and carried Shaoyou's sleeping figure in his protective embrace. He made his way up and entered Shaoyou's apartment after punching the accurate passcode. How did he get the code? Well, there is no need to answer this specific question.
He made way inside Shaoyou's bedroom and placed him gently on his bed. Hua Yong then brought Shaoyou's nightwear from his closet and dressed him up before tucking him into the duvet.
"Sleep tight, gege."
He pressed one last kiss on his forehead before leaving the room.
Hua Yong was in a good mood when he made his way back to his penthouse. Without wasting time, he went inside his bedroom where he spent amazing moments with his gege an hour back. He positioned himself between the nest that was overflowing with Shaoyou's scent.
"The bed is filled with our combined colognes, gege - Your orange blossom and my wild orchid. It's so peaceful. I can still feel the warmth of your body." He whispered before his eyes closed involuntarily, delivering him into a dreamy world filled with Shaoyou.
The next morning, Shaoyou opened his eyes and found himself in his apartment.
His mind was perplexed.
His eyes roam around the room, trying to connect with reality.
When did he come back?
How did he manage to come back?
Last night, he was scheduled to have dinner with Hua Ning, but he never made it inside the venue.
The only thing he remembered was some people kidnapping him from the outside of Hotel X.
They injected something into his body, making him lose his consciousness.
Well, if some business rival or enemy wanted to harm him, then how could he make his way back?
He should have been dead or trapped in some shady place, but here he was lying on his bed.
He looked down and found himself wearing his nightclothes. His work clothes from the last day were lying on the couch, folded neatly.
Amid all the possibilities erupting within his sharp mind, a scary realization dawned upon him. He wasn't alone last night; someone was there in his room.
Could it be Chen Pinming? His mind wandered to the possibility, but Shaoyou rejected the claim because Pinming left for his house before Shaoyou was kidnapped.
"What on earth happened last night?" He spoke to no one in particular.
He felt unsettled.
Before his mind could come up with more theories, he fetched his mobile from the side table and saw numerous texts and calls from Hua Ning from last night. He ignored her as he didn't want to deal with her first thing in the morning.
He called Pinming, who answered almost instantly, "Mr. Sheng, are you alright? I have been trying to contact you since this morning for the scheduled meeting, but you never answered your mobile, so I rescheduled it. I have almost reached your apartment, Mr. Sheng."
Shaoyou sighed and continued the conversation, "Come inside, Pinming. I need to talk to you about something important."
"Sure, Mr. Sheng," Pinming answered before disconnecting the call.
After a few minutes, Chen Pinming entered the living room and found Shaoyou still in the sleepwear.
"Mr. Sheng, is everything alright?" Pinming asked when he saw his boss lost in his thoughts.
Shaoyou narrated the entire incident from last night. Chen Pinming was shocked after listening to the strange kidnapping case.
"I want you to collect CCTV footage from the office, Hotel X, the apartment complex, and my apartment. Interrogate the driver and see if you can produce any witnesses or proof related to last night." Shaoyou commanded.
"On it, Mr. Sheng," Pinming said before pulling out his mobile.
"You go back, I will come to the office within half an hour, then we can carry out our schedule. Don't let anyone know about this."
"Sure, Mr. Sheng." He bowed respectfully before leaving the house.
Shaoyou made his way inside the bathroom for a quick shower. Unknown to him, another surprise awaited him.
As soon as he stripped off his shirt, he stood frozen in front of the mirror, his gaze never leaving his reflection. He rubbed his eyes, trying to reassure himself that this was a lie.
His torso was filled with numerous love bites, the reddish-purple contrast felt like an artwork covering the proclain canvas. It screamed as if an artist had taken his time marking some unknown boundaries known only to him.
Shaoyou traced the bruises, trying to connect with the reality. His mind still wanted to believe that everything was an illusion or some weird nightmare, but the honest evidence his body carried was enough to prove that last night was very much real.
He is neither hallucinating nor overreacting.
Something definitely happened last night. He checked his entire body for more marks. Much to his relief, there weren't.
A tiny snippet triggered within his logical brain. He wanted to deny it, but as outrageous as it sounded, it felt practical in this given situation. Shaoyou checked his lower body, trying to feel if any sort of painful or different sensation was residing there that may have gone unnoticed due to the morning stress. Fortunately, he didn't feel anything different. He heaved a sigh of relief and stepped inside the shower cabin, trying to wash away the stress that had been gripping his mind since morning, but as he washed his body, the reddish marks glaring at him made him realise that not everything can be washed away with just a few droplets of water.
After getting ready, he left for his office.
In the office, the day wasn't kind to him. The meeting drained his energy, and Pinming hadn't managed to find any evidence about last night. Magically, every single CCTV footage that could have helped him with the case has disappeared.
"So, you are telling me that every single piece of footage from my office to my own house has been deleted." He laughs humourlessly.
"That's the most absurd thing I have ever heard you say, Pinming." He wasn't angry with his secretary; the busy schedule and mystery surrounding yesterday were taking a toll on him.
"Mr. Sheng, I will appoint the best technical team for recovering those footages. Give me some time." Chen Pinming was disappointed in himself. For the first time in his life, he isn't able to fulfill the task assigned to him by his boss.
"Forget about it." Shaoyou rubbed his throbbing temples. "What about the driver?"
"When I questioned him, he explained that he was told by Hotel X staff that you asked him to head back without you."
"They told him, and he obliged. Rather than consulting me, he listened to some strangers. Since when did my company start hiring these kinds of useless employees?" Shaoyou was annoyed.
"I don't want to spoil someone's livelihood, but Chen Pinming, remove him from my personal staff. Assign him some other duties and warn him of consequences if there's another time."
"Noted, Mr. Sheng. About the footage...." Shaoyou interrupted him.
"Let's forget about it. I don't want to make an issue when we have managed to win a massive project. Any kind of negative publicity can harm the group. You go do your work." Shaoyou dismissed Pinming and tried to focus on his work.
When Shaoyou finally found his rhythm, the door of his office was slammed open, and an annoyed Hua Ning was standing at the threshold of his cabin. Shaoyou closed his eyes in annoyance. He almost forgot about her. He literally ditched her last night without giving any reasonable explanation, and on top of that, he didn't take the initiative to contact her since morning.
Before Shaoyou could say anything, Chen Pinming barged in, "Ms. Hua, you didn't even give me a chance to consult Mr. Sheng about his schedule. You just rushed in."
"Pinming, you go and resume your duties," Shaoyou said, and Pinming left.
"Shaoyou, what's wrong with you?" Hua Ning tried to sound polite even when she was burning with anger.
"Hua Ning, I am sorry about last night. Actually, we recently grabbed a big project, so all the preliminary preparations kept me busy, and I genuinely forgot about the date." He didn't want to reveal the real purpose behind the cancellation of the date.
Hua Ning wanted to scream at him for ditching her at the last moment, but when she heard about the project, she swallowed her anger and pasted the sweetest smile on her face. She presented herself as an understanding fiancée who wants to shoulder his burden with him. The project was actually a ticket for stabilizing Hua enterprises. If they get to partner up with Sheng Corporation, then their problems can be solved. She can't spoil this opportunity for a ruined date.
"I understand your busy schedule, Shaoyou. I was actually scared last night when you didn't answer the call. I predicted the worst outcome. I hope, in the future, you will at least inform me if you are stuck in some situation. As you fiancee its my duty to understand you and care for you." The artificial sugar syrup dripping from her words made Shaoyou cringe hard, but he maintained a stoic face.
"I am glad you understood my situation," Shaoyou spoke, making Hua Ning smile.
"Shaoyou, actually, my family wants to invite you for a family dinner today. Would you mind?" Hua Ning kept her words carefully.
"Sure, give me a few minutes. I need to go through this file, then we can leave."
Hua Ning nodded and sat on the couch in his cabin.
She looked at him and analyzed the perks she would enjoy by marrying this man.
Handsome - checked.
Rich - checked.
Social status - checked.
Saving Hua Enterprises - checked.
Actually, the status she would enjoy being the lady of the Sheng family would surpass all her past flings. She would have dignity and status that people work hard to get. If she could deliver an heir, then her position and the Hua family's future would be secured.
After Shaoyou completed his work, they left for the Hua Mansion.
As soon as they entered Hua Mansion's garden, Shaoyou's blood boiled while watching a heinous scene unfolding in front of him.
Hua Feng, the second son of the Hua family, has a habit of bullying their youngest sibling, Hua Yong. He was the same monster from whom Shaoyou saved Hua Yong as a kid. As the kids of the Hua family grew up, they stopped bothering Hua Yong, but this monster still bullies him whenever he gets an opportunity. Shaoyou has rebuked him numerous times, but he never learns his lesson.
"Elder brother, I swear I didn't bump into you deliberately. It was an accident. I will be more cautious in the future." Hua Yong spoke in a trembling voice, his eyes filled with tears.
"Fifth, you actually became so audacious as to bump into me and then try to escape the consequences." Hua Feng seethed at his younger sibling.
"This won't happen again, second brother. Please forgive me." Hua Yong's lips wobbled as he pleaded in front of his brother.
Shaoyou curled his fist when he saw his helpless little friend submitting in front of his arrogant second brother.
Shaoyou is well aware of the personality traits of the Hua siblings. This is one of the reasons why he can understand the perfectly curated act of Hua Ning. In front of him, she acts like a sensitive and understanding lady, but behind his back, she is as ruthless as Hua Feng.
Hua Yong has been a victim of their autocracies since birth. The soft-spoken boy has been bullied multiple times, but he never gave up. Today, he owns an art studio and has a good reputation among artists.
Sheng Shaoyou actually helped him in setting up his studio when Hua Yong wanted to break free from his family, and today, Shaoyou's heart swells in pride after seeing his progress.
He is more brilliant than his other siblings, and that is one of the reasons why he is bullied and mocked at his own house.
"I will forgive you, but after teaching you a good lesson." Hua Feng growled.
He was about to punch Hua Yong, making him close his eyes, but nothing happened. The pain he anticipated earlier didn't arrive.
He opened his eyes and found Shaoyou holding Hua Feng's fist in a deadly grip, making him wince in pain.
"You never learn your lesson, do you?" Shaoyou spoke in a dangerous voice.
Hua Ning decided to diffuse the situation before it escalates.
"Hua Yong, are you alright?" She faked concern while holding Hua Yong's hand gently.
"I am fine, third sister." Hua Yong answered in a soft voice.
"Hua Feng, why do you always bother him?" She scolded Hua Feng for wanting to look good in front of Shaoyou.
Shaoyou left his hand and glared at him.
"If I ever see you bothering him again, I won't be this merciful." He spoke coldly, making Hua Feng flinch.
Hua Ning dragged Hua Feng with him, leaving Hua Yong and Shaoyou alone in the garden.
Hua Yong sobbed softly before wiping his tears and looking at his saviour. "Thanks for saving me again, Mr. Sheng." He bowed respectfully.
"Are you alright?" Shaoyou asked in a soft voice.
"I am, all thanks to you, Mr. Sheng."
"Mr. Sheng?" Shaoyou smirked while looking at the innocent boy. "You don't call me brother-in-law, like your other siblings." Shaoyou teased him.
It took a steel resilience on Hua Yong's part to act normally when venomous words were thrown in his face by the same person who is his world. He looked at Shaoyou blankly, knowing fully well that he was just teasing him, but he was unaware of the fact that Hua Yong would destroy the entire Hua family if they dared to take his love away from him.
"Mr. Sheng hasn't married my elder sister yet, so calling him brother-in-law doesn't feel right." He spoke in his most tender and submissive voice. "Moreover, I have been calling you Mr. Sheng since childhood, so I find it difficult to change my habits." He pouted, making Shaoyou chuckle at his innocence.
"Fine, whatever makes you happy, little orchid." Shaoyou smiled at him and ruffled his hair playfully before making his way inside.
Hua Yong stood there with a big smile plastered on his face.
He touched his hair, trying to enact the playful ruffling done by his favourite person.
"Mr. Sheng, I am your little orchid."