A Marriage in Name Only? My Stepbrother Won't Let Me Go

Pei Yan waited and waited, but when Wei Jue arrived with the medicine, his handsome face immediately fell.

"Where is my wife?"

The man who had been lying obediently at once sat up.

Afraid of waking Ling, Pei Yan kept his voice low, no matter how displeased he was with the visitor.

Wei Jue’s mouth twitched.

’His wife? Miss Mei doesn’t even acknowledge that wedding...’

’Did His Highness injure his head? Is he just living in a fantasy world?’

’No wonder Miss Mei is always reminding His Highness not to take a mile when given an inch.’

Miss Mei had just softened her attitude, and His Highness was already using the title "wife."

This was taking things way too far!

’If Miss Mei were to actually give in, there’s no telling what His Highness would do.’

Pei Yan had only just woken up and still looked pale and sick, but the powerful aura around him hadn’t diminished in the slightest.

Stared at by those chilling eyes, Wei Jue felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

He wanted to explain, but the other man’s gaze stopped him. Only then did he remember the little ancestor sleeping soundly in the room.

He couldn’t afford to provoke either of them, the big one or the little one.

Wei Jue could only point outside and mouth silently, "Miss Mei will be back soon."

A bitter feeling welled up in Pei Yan’s heart.

’I thought Ah Yin would give me my medicine personally. In the end, she wasn’t even the one who brought it.’

’What could possibly be more important than me?’

’Besides, Lingling is here too. Are the two of us, father and daughter, still not more important than whatever "big matter" is happening outside?’

The more he thought, the more wronged Pei Yan felt, yet he had to tell himself not to become arrogant just because she was showing him a little favor.

’Ah Yin has only just softened her stance. I have to be more magnanimous, I can’t be so petty.’

The man remained expressionless and held out a large hand. The meaning was self-evident.

Wei Jue hastily handed over the medicine bowl. He watched as the man on the bed silently downed the entire bowl of medicinal soup in one go.

He didn’t even furrow his brow at the incredibly bitter concoction.

"Get out!"

Pei Yan’s voice was still low, but it was filled with pressure. It was clear he was in an extremely foul mood.

Wei Jue took the empty bowl and retreated without a moment’s delay.

He thought to himself, ’His Highness, acting like this... he’s like a sulking husband. All his joys and sorrows are tied to Miss Mei.’

’When Miss Mei is by his side, His Highness is happy.’

’The moment she’s gone, he starts scowling.’

’If that’s not a sulking husband, what is?’

’No wonder Miss Mei refuses to give in and forgive His Highness. They haven’t even reconciled, and he’s already this clingy. If they actually did make up, it would be a complete disaster!’

’He’d probably insist on taking Miss Mei everywhere, doting on her as if she were made of glass.’

Wei Jue had never seen a man like this before and, for some reason, felt a sense of second-hand embarrassment.

If people outside were to find out how His Highness clung to Miss Mei, his wise and heroic image would likely shatter into a million pieces.

As a subordinate, he was truly embarrassed for His Highness!

Pei Yan lay back on the bed, listening to his daughter’s breathing as he silently counted the time in his head.

’An incense stick at most. If Ah Yin doesn’t come back by then, my wound might just inexplicably split open.’

’When that happens, I refuse to believe Ah Yin won’t be worried about me, or that she’d still prioritize other things over me!’

...

Mei Wanying was worried about her daughter, afraid she would wake up, not see anyone, and start crying again.

Pei Yan was unreliable; he could barely take care of himself, let alone soothe Ling.

Unable to put her mind at ease, Mei Wanying quickly handled the matters in the front courtyard, leaving the rest to the steward.

Then she hurried back to the guest courtyard.

Ding Xiang followed Mei Wanying, her heart aching as she watched her lady rush around, so busy her feet barely touched the ground.

’My lady wasn’t injured, but she hasn’t been eating or sleeping well. She’s clearly lost some weight.’

’In this residence, there are the old, the young, and another who’s seriously injured.’

’Everyone is waiting for my lady to tend to them, and there’s this huge family estate to manage. My lady truly has it hard.’

At times like these, Ding Xiang couldn’t help but think of Gu Xun. ’If there were a live-in son-in-law to lend a hand, my lady wouldn’t have to work so hard.’

Then she cursed Pei Yan internally for being a lingering pest. ’Now that he’s injured, he’s definitely going to stick around and not leave.’

’I’ve never seen such a thick-skinned person!’

Lying on the bed, Pei Yan immediately caught the sound of soft footsteps.

The resentful air around him instantly vanished, and he closed his eyes in satisfaction.

’Good, Ah Yin is back.’

Hearing no crying, Mei Wanying knew Ling was still asleep and subconsciously lightened her steps.

She walked to the side of the bed and leaned over to check on Ling first.

Seeing her daughter nestled tightly against Pei Yan, her small hand clutching his arm as if seeking security, made Mei Wanying’s heart ache again.

She made sure Ling wasn’t putting pressure on Pei Yan’s wound, which put her slightly at ease.

She glanced at Pei Yan and saw his eyes were shut tight, his eyelids not even twitching.

Mei Wanying couldn’t tell if he was in a deep sleep or had passed out again.

With his eyes closed, Pei Yan’s other senses became exceptionally sharp.

He felt Mei Wanying lean closer, her warm, fragrant breath brushing against his face.

Then, she stopped, not moving any closer.

Pei Yan was both nervous and expectant.

And a little impatient.

He desperately wanted to hold the back of her head and press her lips to his, the ones that haunted his dreams.

His fingers twitched, but in the end, Pei Yan restrained himself.

’Let’s see what Ah Yin does.’

’Maybe... maybe Ah Yin wants to steal a kiss. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before.’

’She’s always been bold.’

’It wouldn’t be strange for her to steal a kiss...’

Pei Yan’s mind raced. Afraid Mei Wanying would notice something was off, he deliberately controlled his breathing and tried to slow his heart rate.

Mei Wanying leaned in and watched for a long time, but she still couldn’t tell if Pei Yan had passed out or not.

On a sudden impulse, she reached out her hand to check if he was breathing.

When Ling was little, Mei Wanying had done this countless times. It had become a habit.

By the time she realized what she was doing, it was too late to pull her hand back.

She let out a subtle breath and calmly retracted her hand. ’Anyway, no one saw...’

’His breathing is so steady, he must be asleep.’

Pei Yan was completely stunned.

’What does Ah Yin mean by this?’

’Does she think I’m dead?’

His hopes were dashed, and on top of that, it seemed she was checking if he was dead. A resentful look appeared on the man’s face.

Unfortunately, Mei Wanying didn’t see it.

Her biggest worry had been resolved. With no one left to threaten her family’s safety, the tension coiling inside Mei Wanying instantly released.

A wave of exhaustion washed over her. She sat on a low stool, propped her chin on her hand, and closed her eyes to rest.

’When Ling wakes up, we’ll go back to our own courtyard.’

The room fell silent.

A long while later, the man opened his eyes.

His gaze fell upon her exquisite face. She wore no makeup, yet it didn’t detract one bit from her delicate beauty.

Pei Yan watched her greedily, his eyes sweeping over her picturesque brows and eyes, then her nose, her mouth... He could never get enough of looking at her.

Realizing Mei Wanying was watching over him, ripples of warmth spread through Pei Yan’s heart.

’Ah Yin does care about me after all.’

’It doesn’t matter if she won’t kiss me. This time, it’s my turn.’

An itchy sensation touched her lips, like the gentle brush of a feather.

It vanished, then returned.

Again and again.

It was incredibly annoying.

Mei Wanying groggily opened her eyes and met a pair of bottomless, dark eyes.

They were so close.

So close she could see the man’s eyelashes.

Pei Yan’s eyelashes trembled. Instead of pulling back, he reached out and cupped the back of Mei Wanying’s head.

He lightly bit the small pearl of her upper lip.

His expression was one of utmost reverence.

They had been intimate before—not often, but every time had been a desperate, passionate entanglement.

Pei Yan’s heart trembled.

But he wasn’t satisfied with just this.

He finally took it a step further, plundering Mei Wanying’s breath like a violent storm.

Perhaps out of fear, or perhaps excitement, Pei Yan’s body began to tremble as well.

"Ah Yin, don’t push me away."