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Dawn was just breaking, the candlelight flickering gold and casting a rosy glow. Beigong Qiyi propped his head on his hand, gazing tenderly at the man beside him. Scarlet lips curved with a faint smile, while Beigong Juechen slept on, utterly unaware, his face as if sculpted by the finest artisan—cold and tranquil in repose. Qiyi blinked away a hint of aching weariness, then slowly reached out to rest his hand upon the man's cheek.

Warmth met his touch—smooth and gentle. Qiyi sighed softly, then pressed closer into Juechen’s embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around the man’s waist and breathing in the elusive, cool fragrance that clung to him.

“Big Brother...” His voice was no more than a whisper. “Big Brother, you promised you’d try to accept me. I don’t really believe it—I just want to believe...” He tightened his hold, the depth of affection in his midnight eyes almost unsettling. “Big Brother, I’m not afraid you’ll leave me, because you... you can’t ever leave me...”

He clung so tightly that Juechen’s brows knit faintly in his sleep. Qiyi eased his grip a little, nuzzling the man’s shoulder. “Sleep, Big Brother...” Juechen’s long lashes fluttered; Qiyi gently patted his side, and the man turned to face him, falling into an even deeper sleep.

Lifting his head, Qiyi pressed a light kiss to Juechen’s lips, then nestled closer, content, feigning sleep himself.

Juechen dreamed—a strange dream, neither good nor truly nightmarish. In it, he stood in a vast expanse, yet something bound him fast—no matter how he tried, he could not step beyond his small plot of earth. Suddenly, someone embraced him from behind. He frowned, meaning to push the intruder away. But each time he did, the person only clung more closely, teeth grazing his pale earlobe, a low voice murmuring, “Big Brother, you can’t ever leave me...”

He woke with a start. Sunlight blazed outside—it was a rare, cloudless day.

Qiyi’s arms still encircled him, just as in the dream. Juechen’s brow furrowed; he reached to remove the boy’s arm, but after a moment’s thought, let his hand fall without pushing Qiyi away. The boy, eyes closed as if sleeping, smiled faintly, as though lost in a sweet dream.

Qi Yong opened his eyes, staring blankly up at the pale canopy above. After a moment, he sat up, put on his shoes, picked up his cloak, and strode out without a backward glance.

A chilly breeze slipped through the doorway. Lingsheng stared dumbly at the door, slowly curling into himself.

In Juechen’s arms, Qiyi stretched languidly, then tipped his head up to kiss Juechen’s lips. “Good morning, Big Brother,” he said brightly as their lips parted.

Juechen glanced at the already high sun and gave a dry laugh. “I’m afraid it’s not so early anymore.”

Qiyi nuzzled against Juechen’s elegantly chiseled jaw, his tone playful. “Big Brother, would you like to go out today?” Juechen started, not expecting Qiyi would truly let him leave the villa. But before he could reply, the boy laughed softly, “The weather’s so fine today. If we don’t go out and enjoy the spring, wouldn’t it be a waste? Don’t you agree, Big Brother?”

Juechen regarded him thoughtfully for a long moment before nodding. “Quite right.”

Qiyi’s smile grew brighter. “Wait here, Big Brother.” With that, he leapt from the bed, slipped into his shoes, and hurried out. Juechen sat up, his expression inscrutable.

In hardly any time, Qiyi came rushing back, arms full of clothes. He held up a robe before Juechen, grinning. “I designed this especially for you, Big Brother. You’ll look wonderful in it.”

Juechen eyed the delighted face before him, pinching the garment’s collar between two fingers with some distaste. “You want me to wear this out?”

“You don’t like it?” Qiyi’s smile vanished, gaze dropping, voice glum. Juechen frowned, silent for a long while before murmuring, “It’s... not so bad, actually.”

Seeing Juechen’s less-than-enthusiastic look, Qiyi snatched the robe away and tossed it aside, muttering, “Forget it. If you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it.”

Juechen laughed, pinching Qiyi’s crestfallen cheek, then retrieved the robe and arched a brow. “Who said I didn’t like it? It’s not my usual style, but it’s decent enough.” With that, he donned the robe.

Juechen usually favored dark colors, most often deep green. But this time, he wore a plain white long gown, the collar, cuffs, and hem embroidered with emerald trim, a broad green sash cinched at the waist. He was strikingly handsome, his complexion set off by white and green, as flawless as the finest mutton-fat jade, with a faint inner glow.

Juechen rapped his knuckle lightly on Qiyi’s forehead, laughing. “Well?”

Qiyi swallowed hard, then threw his arms around Juechen, burying his face in the man’s chest. “Now I regret it. You look too good, Big Brother. From now on, you can only dress like this for me!”

“From now on?” Juechen’s tone lowered. “Once is enough. In the future, design something more suited to me, not this style.” Qiyi nodded, dejected. “What a shame...”

Juechen lifted the boy from his embrace, giving him a sidelong look. “What did you just say?” Qiyi straightened the collar he’d mussed, smiling. “Big Brother, you look so good in light colors, but you always wear dark green. It’s such a waste.”

Juechen glanced him up and down, chuckling. “And you only ever wear yellow.”

Qiyi’s hands stilled, his long lashes fluttering. After a moment, he withdrew his hands and looked up, smiling. “All done.”

Juechen pursed his lips and strode out first. Just as he was about to cross the threshold of ‘Idle Reverie Residence’, Qiyi called after him, “Big Brother.” Juechen turned to see the boy walking over with a dark green cloak.

Qiyi draped it over Juechen’s shoulders, tying the strings neatly, then took his hand and laughed softly. “Now we’re ready, let’s go.” Juechen looked down at their joined hands, silent, and walked out side by side with the boy.

They had no attendants or guards with them. Qiyi held Juechen’s hand, beaming with contentment. Juechen glanced at the boy’s slightly foolish, adoring expression and couldn’t help but smile as well.

“Where do you want to go, Big Brother?” Qiyi asked. It was still before noon. Juechen thought for a moment, then laughed, “Since you’ve given me a new robe, I suppose I ought to reciprocate and give you one in return.”

When they arrived at “Xuan Yi Tailor”, Qiyi’s previously excited face fell. He squeezed Juechen’s hand and muttered, “So you just brought me here to buy clothes...” Juechen raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. “What did you expect?”

Qiyi pouted. “Big Brother, the robe you’re wearing now—maybe I didn’t sew it myself, but at least I designed it. And you’re just buying one for me? That’s not very sincere...” Juechen nodded, and started to lead Qiyi away. “In that case, let’s not buy one.” But the boy stayed rooted in place. Juechen turned, brow raised. “Well? Do you want it or not?” Qiyi nodded repeatedly.

Juechen smiled, and just then, the shopkeeper hurried out from the back room. At the sight of them, he paused in surprise—both men were striking, their presence magnetic, their looks extraordinary. To call them dragons among men hardly did them justice. Yet there was an aura of danger about them both, and the shopkeeper instantly sobered. “How may I help you?” he inquired with a servile smile.

“Bring out your finest fabrics,” Juechen said coolly, surveying the shop. The shopkeeper quickly ordered a clerk to bring out a bolt of silk, which he presented to Juechen. “This is cloud brocade from Nanjing—exquisite texture, elegant and sumptuous—perfect for men of your distinction. What do you think?”

Juechen felt the material, nodded. “This will do.” Then he turned to Qiyi. “What color do you want?”

Qiyi considered, then told the shopkeeper, “Yellow-green. Make two robes.” The shopkeeper nodded eagerly. “For each of you? What style would you like?”

Qiyi answered before Juechen could speak. “Yes, both of us. And make it in his style.” He took off Juechen’s cloak and handed it to the shopkeeper. Juechen glanced at him, then nodded indifferently. The shopkeeper studied Juechen carefully, handed the fabric to an assistant, then fetched a measuring tape. “Let me take your measurements,” he said with a smile.

“No need,” Qiyi waved a hand, reciting his own measurements. The shopkeeper wrote them down. “And for you, sir?” he asked Juechen.

“I don’t know,” Juechen replied coolly.

“Then please extend your arms, and I’ll measure you.” Juechen did so, but as soon as the shopkeeper placed the tape on his shoulder, Qiyi’s hand shot out, grabbing his wrist. The shopkeeper turned, meeting the dark, chilling gaze of those phoenix eyes, and shivered involuntarily.

“No need. I know his measurements,” Qiyi said quietly.

With both sets of measurements noted, the shopkeeper rubbed his hands together. “Gentlemen, your robes will be ready in about three days. Would you like to leave a deposit?”

Juechen replied, “Deliver them to ‘Li Manor’ in three days. Someone will pay you then.” With that, he strode out without a backward glance.

‘Li Manor’... The shopkeeper started, for though he was no man of the martial world, he knew the place by reputation. By the time he collected himself, the two were gone, and in the distance, he saw the boy carefully draping the cloak over the man’s shoulders. The shopkeeper shook his head and muttered, “Who would have thought those two brothers were so close...”

But even as he thought this, a strange phrase surfaced in his mind: “A consort, accustomed to her lord’s embrace, knows his measure well...”

Author’s Note: Aaaah, your resident top is swamped with end-of-term assignments and will be swamped until early June!! I’ll try my best to update daily, but don’t be mad if I can’t manage it, tat 166 Reading Net