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

Pei Yan wrapped his arm around Mei Wanying, keeping her from falling over from the carriage’s jolting.

His free hand fumbled for the knot in the silk ribbon. With a flick of his long fingers, he untied the bindings.

He threatened, "Keep struggling, and I’ll throw you out!"

Mei Wanying wasn’t a child; of course she didn’t believe his threat.

But still... she couldn’t get used to it. The distance between them was too close.

Given their relationship, it shouldn’t be like this.

Mei Wanying struggled slightly and reminded him, "Your Highness, men and women should maintain a proper distance."

The strange feeling in her body was already difficult to suppress, and now Pei Yan was leaning in, so close to her.

’This is torture!’

The Pei Yan of the past wasn’t like this. He had always wished he could stay far, far away from her.

Mei Wanying didn’t understand why Pei Yan would do such a thing.

She pushed at the man’s arm, trying to keep her distance.

Pei Yan didn’t move an inch.

Her body was limp, leaning against him just like that. The soft sensation traveled through their clothes to his skin.

So clear.

So distinct.

Pei Yan looked awkward, but he didn’t push Mei Wanying away.

’Circumstances are forcing my hand. I’ll just endure it a little longer.’

’Once we’re back at the manor, we’ll see if I still care about Mei Wanying!’

The woman in his arms was like a worm, wriggling and squirming nonstop. If he weren’t here, he was afraid she’d try to burrow her way out of the carriage!

Pei Yan threatened, "Move again, and don’t blame me for knocking you unconscious."

Mei Wanying actually wished he would knock her out. It would save her from this conscious suffering.

She wanted to say something, but when she opened her mouth, her tone came out coquettishly soft. Mortified and annoyed, Mei Wanying’s face flushed crimson.

Pei Yan’s eyes narrowed. He reached out to touch her face, and his palm met scorching heat.

His hand was cool and soothing. Mei Wanying uncontrollably nuzzled against it.

Pei Yan snatched his hand back. He wanted to curse, but a terrible suspicion flashed through his mind.

His expression darkened.

He knocked on the carriage wall. "Faster! Back to the manor!"

The mountain road was already rugged and uneven. As the carriage sped up, the inside grew even more turbulent.

Afraid she would get bruised, Pei Yan grabbed Mei Wanying by her slender waist and, with a gentle lift, settled her onto his lap.

His iron-hard arms wrapped tightly around Mei Wanying, preventing her from squirming.

Mei Wanying was conscious. She knew something was wrong with her.

And she knew the reason why.

She was trying her best to suppress it.

Time ticked by, and Mei Wanying couldn’t help but shift slightly.

Something soft pressed against him.

The man’s body instantly tensed. His expression froze, filled with incredulous horror.

Something erupted from within him.

It was beyond his control, surging forth, threatening to become a wildfire.

Pei Yan’s voice broke. "Mei Wanying, you’ve ruined my innocence!"

This wasn’t a dream.

This was reality.

While conscious, he had never had this... reaction to any woman.

Mei Wanying was the first.

And the only one.

It was her in his dreams, and it was her in reality.

How could Pei Yan possibly stay calm?

He didn’t even like Mei Wanying!

Why was it that if she so much as beckoned with a finger, he’d wag his tail for her like a dog?

No, she hadn’t even beckoned.

She had just bumped into him accidentally, and it had instantly set him ablaze!

It was difficult for Mei Wanying to ignore Pei Yan’s physical reaction.

She wasn’t some naive little girl who understood nothing.

Hearing his harsh words and feeling the murderous aura he was directing at her, Mei Wanying didn’t dare to breathe.

She secretly rejoiced. Thank goodness she had left early that night. Otherwise, what awaited her would have been either the bitter fruit of her previous life or an even more tragic fate.

Mei Wanying’s body trembled with fear.

Pei Yan gritted his teeth. "Mei Wanying, are you doing this on purpose?"

Mei Wanying felt deeply wronged. She said in a small voice, "Let me go."

Pei Yan clenched his jaw even tighter. "Why should I? So you can ruin my innocence more easily?"

He had figured it out. Mei Wanying must have come into contact with something unclean at the villa.

Even though it wasn’t her intention, the fact was that his innocence had nearly been ruined by Mei Wanying!

Even with her limbs restrained by him, she could still stir up a fire.

If he let her go, Pei Yan didn’t dare to imagine what she would do!

Using all his limbs to hold her down securely, Pei Yan swore to defend his innocence to the death.

A faint fragrance emanated from her skin and hair, its wisps drilling into his nostrils.

They were too close. Every wisp of her scent teased his mind.

Pei Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. The scenes from his dreams ambushed his thoughts.

Her waist was so slender, her body so soft, like a delicate flower waiting to be plucked.

She was even more vivid and alluring than in his dreams.

A thin veil seemed to descend over Pei Yan’s mind, clouding his thoughts.

The carriage sped along the rugged mountain road, jolting a few times.

His breathing grew ragged.

His scorching palm landed on Mei Wanying’s waistline. Her soft, cherry-like lips were inches away.

Pei Yan squeezed his eyes shut.

’I have no intention of marrying Mei Wanying. That sort of thing can’t happen.’

’Having those dreams is already despicable enough. It absolutely cannot happen in reality.’

’Mei Wanying has to get married someday. I can’t be the one to ruin her.’

Pei Yan took a few deep breaths, and the surging emotions gradually cooled.

He took out a handkerchief, dipped it in some cold tea, and began to wipe Mei Wanying’s face.

"Don’t be afraid. You’ll be fine once we see a doctor. Everything will be all right."

His tone was surprisingly gentle. In her two lifetimes, this was the first time Mei Wanying had ever heard him speak like this.

There was no cold mockery.

No rejection or distance.

For a moment, she was in a daze.

Pei Yan glanced at her. "You’re sick, so I’ll let it slide this time. But if there’s a next time, Mei Wanying, you’ll be in for a world of pain."

Mei Wanying’s lips twitched. "There won’t be a next time."

She couldn’t control her body, but her mind was clear.

She and Pei Yan had already made one mistake together; she didn’t want to get muddled and make a second one.

That would be compounding one mistake with another!

All distracting thoughts vanished from Mei Wanying’s mind. She only wanted to get back to the manor as quickly as possible, have the doctor prescribe her some medicine, and alleviate the discomfort in her body.

The carriage was too small; it was easy for improper feelings to blossom.

Mei Wanying’s desire to return to the manor was exceptionally urgent.

"Pei Yan..."

Her voice was soft, lacking its former pampered arrogance and the icy distance of the past few days.

So soft it was impossible not to feel a pang of tenderness.

Pei Yan’s heart began to race out of control again.

"Shut up."

Pinching Mei Wanying’s cheek, Pei Yan said in a serious tone, "Don’t say another word."

Mei Wanying didn’t know how she had managed to annoy him again, but she was in a position where she had to yield.

She remained silent, yet Pei Yan still felt uncomfortable.

"Are you angry? Why aren’t you talking?"

Mei Wanying glared at him, her beautiful eyes brewing with fury. "Pei Yan, are you insane?!"

’This man just can’t stand me. That’s why he’s always looking for ways to make me miserable.’

Talking is wrong.

Not talking is also wrong.

Even her breathing is a mistake!

Pei Yan’s lips curled into a smirk. He thought her wide, angry eyes made her look like a Raccoon with its fur on end.

’She can still bicker with me. That proves her mind is still clear and unaffected by that unclean stuff.’

Pei Yan’s tone turned stern. "Say one more word, and don’t blame me for throwing you out of this carriage."

Mei Wanying turned her head away, refusing to speak to him.

Pei Yan wasn’t annoyed. He slowly continued to wipe Mei Wanying’s face and hands.

Mei Wanying let him do as he pleased.

Suddenly, she was certain of one thing: this entire family was insane!