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

Pei Yan stood by the window and saw the Mei family’s carriage stop.

Mei Wanying, dressed in a vibrant pink dress with her hair in a maiden’s bun, stepped out of the carriage.

A gentle breeze blew past, causing her skirt to sway and vaguely outlining her figure—a slender waist and long legs.

That willow-like waist... he had held it for real not long ago.

A perfect handful.

Very soft.

Pei Yan’s palm suddenly grew hot, and his breathing became a little heavier.

His heart felt like a little rabbit was trapped inside, thumping wildly against his chest.

’Damn it all!’

Pei Yan clenched his fist, suppressing the strange reaction in his body. Every time he saw Mei Wanying, these odd feelings would surface.

It was as if a savage beast lived inside him, one that longed to make Mei Wanying cry.

He had to exercise great restraint to keep from losing control.

Pei Yan hated the feeling of being out of control. Whenever this happened, he would remind himself to stay far away from Mei Wanying.

Mei Wanying was his weakness.

The man subtly exhaled, but his gaze never left, remaining fixed on that delicate pink figure.

She lifted her head to look at the shop sign, her fair little face seeming to glow.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...

Pei Yan could hear his own heartbeat.

In his line of sight, a woman of about the same age was next to Mei Wanying, chattering away about something.

’That must be the Xue Xingyao that Mei Wanying is always talking about.’

He spent most of his years in military camps and rarely had the chance to see Mei Wanying. If she hadn’t been chattering on about her all the time, he wouldn’t have even known a person named Xue Xingyao existed.

He suddenly recalled the last time he escorted Mei Wanying back to her residence; she really disliked Xue Yunshu.

At the time, he had thought she was jealous.

Looking at it now, it was also because of her sworn sister.

Mei Wanying had always been like this. She was fiercely protective, always standing unconditionally by her own people.

’So it wasn’t just because of him...’

Pei Yan felt a little melancholy.

Seeing Mei Wanying smiling at someone else, her almond eyes curved and her expression so vibrant, made Pei Yan feel a knot of displeasure in his heart.

’Why is she only fierce with me?’

Pei Yan’s tone was sour. "Befriending a parrot. Isn’t she worried about the noise?"

Wei Jue didn’t dare to breathe.

’Their prince is acting like a sulking husband, finding fault with everything about Miss Mei.’

’When she pestered him, he wasn’t happy.’

’When she ignores him, he isn’t happy either.’

’No matter what, he seems to find fault with Miss Mei. His Highness isn’t like this with anyone else.’

’Miss Mei really has it tough...’

’And Miss Xue Er has been dragged into this for no reason.’

’If Miss Xue Er found out someone called her a parrot, wouldn’t she be furious?’

Pei Yan stared at them.

He watched Mei Wanying enter the restaurant he was in.

His fingers tapped on the windowsill. "Arrange for them to be in the private room next door."

Meeting his friend’s teasing, half-smiling gaze, Pei Yan said expressionlessly, "She’s as weak as a kitten and terribly delicate. If she gets targeted by the Crown Prince’s men again and they abduct her, I’ll have to go rescue her. It’s too much trouble! Better to keep her under my nose."

Chen Shujing chuckled lightly. "No need to explain. The more you say, the more it sounds like there’s something to it."

’How could he not know what Pei Yan was really like?’

’The fact that Mei Wanying could get him to say so much was enough to prove she was special to him.’

’A pity that some people are still so dense.’

"Miss Mei came of age three years ago. Now is the perfect time for her to marry. If she brings a brother-in-law home one day, will you be happy or not?"

’This guy keeps saying he sees Mei Wanying as a sister.’

’If she really brings a brother-in-law back for him, I wonder what his expression will be.’

Chen Shujing found himself inexplicably looking forward to it.

Pei Yan scoffed. "Perfect. Saves me the headache of worrying about that major life event of hers."

"I see you’re just being stubborn!"

Pei Yan shot him a disdainful look, his long fingers tapping rhythmically on the tabletop.

He stared at Chen Shujing without saying a word.

The more silent he was, the more intimidating he became.

Chen Shujing suddenly felt a chill down his spine. "You’re not plotting against me, are you?"

Pei Yan’s reply was off-topic. "You’re taking Mei Wanying’s side so much. What benefits has she given you?"

’Unbelievable!’

’After all that, the topic has circled right back to Mei Wanying!’

’He can’t go a sentence without mentioning her, yet he dares claim he sees her as a sister.’

’Even a ghost wouldn’t believe that!’

Chen Shujing was speechless. "I’ve never even met Miss Mei. How could she give me any benefits?"

The Chen Family had a tradition of scholarship and farming, but their roots weren’t in the Capital City.

He had met Pei Yan by chance, and naturally, he had come to hear the stories about him and Mei Wanying.

"Heh..." Pei Yan let out a laugh with an ambiguous meaning.

Chen Shujing: "Am I the kind of person who sells out a friend for personal gain?"

Pei Yan’s expression was haughty. "You’d better not be. If you dare conspire with Mei Wanying, don’t blame me for turning on you."

Chen Shujing tutted a few times. "A grown man, always staring at a young lady? It’s hard for me not to be suspicious of your motives."

Pei Yan looked baffled.

’When did I ever stare at Mei Wanying?’

’When I’m busy with important matters, I don’t even think of her, okay?’

’She was only brought up now because she appeared right in front of me.’

"If you keep spouting nonsense, you can solve that matter yourself."

Chen Shujing immediately dropped his teasing tone. "I’ve had a formal meeting with Miss Xue Er. A gentleman should help others achieve their goals..."

Pei Yan: "I’m no gentleman."

Chen Shujing’s mouth twitched. "Miss Xue Er and Miss Mei are sworn sisters. If she were to marry into the Prince Chen Mansion, aren’t you afraid their friendship would turn sour?"

Pei Yan’s lips curled into a smirk that seemed rather malicious. "I’d also like to see if she only acts tough with her own people. She’s covered in thorns, so why should I be the only one she pricks?"

’But in his heart, he was thinking that Mei Wanying would never turn against Xue Xingyao.’

’Don’t be fooled by her little temper tantrums; deep down, her mind is as clear as a mirror. She understands the situation and wouldn’t fall out with Xue Xingyao over this.’

’Of course, he had no intention of marrying Xue Xingyao either.’

’Mei Wanying has only this one sworn sister, and Xue Xingyao even knows to stand up for her. He wasn’t crazy enough to try and drive a wedge between them.’

Chen Shujing stared at Pei Yan, his tone tense. "Don’t drag me and Miss Xue Er into your affair with Miss Mei."

Pei Yan just snorted lightly and didn’t refute it.

Xue Xingyao first had a formal meeting with Chen Shujing. It was only after returning to the Capital City that she learned she was on the Empress’s list of potential daughters-in-law.

As far as Chen Shujing knew, the person the Empress favored was likely Xue Xingyao.

Although Duke Xue was often muddled when it came to private matters, the rest of the Xue Family were very accomplished. Even the young men from the branch families had their own achievements.

Furthermore, the Xue Family had deep roots. It was perfectly normal for Xue Xingyao to be noticed by the Empress.

The day the Xue Family set off for the Capital City, he had followed right behind them. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Not for Xue Xingyao, but because there was an urgent matter that required his attention.

He hadn’t expected to hear that piece of news.

Before meeting with Pei Yan, he had corresponded with Mrs. Xue to confirm the Xue Family’s intentions. Only then did he ask Pei Yan for help.

Although he and the Xue Family could have resolved it themselves, having Pei Yan step forward to refuse would settle the matter much more quickly.

And it would prevent the Empress from blaming the Xue Family and Xue Xingyao.

Chen Shujing knew what kind of person Pei Yan was.

’He was just stubborn and deliberately tried to make things unpleasant for Mei Wanying.’

’If he were really made to marry Miss Xue Er... no, as long as the person wasn’t Mei Wanying, he wouldn’t marry willingly.’

’If he really did marry someone else, it would only be for the sake of the bigger picture.’

’That person would only be the Princess Consort Chen, not the wife who would walk by Pei Yan’s side through life.’

Seeing Pei Yan’s indifferent expression, as if he didn’t care about Mei Wanying at all, Chen Shujing shook his head.

’If he doesn’t come to his senses, no one can help him.’

As his friend, Chen Shujing reminded Pei Yan, "A childhood sweetheart is a heaven-sent fate. You must cherish it. Don’t be like me..."

Pausing, Chen Shujing’s tone became sorrowful. "Even if I wanted to treat her well, I no longer have the chance."