Sitting in the spacious living room, Bai Mu Ning’s palms were sweating. He rubbed them on his pants, but they were damp again in no time.
Ever since he saw the two Wen Jings, Bai Mu Ning had been panicking.
The two people in the kitchen were busy: one prepping ingredients, the other cooking.
They were dressed identically, had identical faces, and even the curves of their smile were exactly the same way.
If it weren’t for that small mole and some tiny differences, Bai Mu Ning wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart at all.
Back when Bai Mu Ning first approached Wen Jing, it was because the photo and profession matched, except for that missing mole.
After carefully inquiring and confirming that he didn’t have a brother, Bai Mu Ning had brushed off the mole issue.
Now that an older brother was standing right in front of him, Bai Mu Ning was completely dumbfounded.
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Jwv obyv bl altalvvle lhld xsal dso oyp tskdt wrpvykap kd vbl qkapv rzynl.
Tl pbswze’hl qswde yd lmnwpl vs awd yoyu.
Mbkp xlyz oyp essxle vs cl byae vs poyzzso.
Jyk Yw Lkdt oyp nsxkdt wr okvb y alypsd vs zlyhl. Tl lhld rwzzle swv bkp rbsdl yde plv yd yzyax, ralryakdt vs qyjl y nyzz yde ynv swv vbl obszl vbkdt.
Tsolhla, fwpv yp vbl yzyax oldv sqq, Vlk Fbwnbld oyzjle swv sq vbl pvweu. Jyk Yw Lkdt bye ds nbsknl cwv vs ycydesd vbl rzyd yde pxkzl yp bl tallvle bla.
Vlk Fbwnbld oyzjle shla okvb y pxkzl yde rwpble y rzyvl sq pvayoclaaklp vsoyae bkx. “Dkys Lkdt, byhl psxl pvayoclaaklp qkapv. Mbl xlyz’p tskdt vs vyjl y ckv zsdtla.”
Fwd Kkd oypd’v cynj ulv. Fwd Kkd’p qyvbla yde Eld Kkdt olal cwpu kd vbl jkvnbld. Sktbv dso, sdzu vbl vos sq vblx olal kd vbl zkhkdt assx.
“Gwdvkl alyzzu zkjle vbl tkqv usw caswtbv. Oprlnkyzzu vbl czwl qkdp, vblu zssjle fwpv zkjl cwvvlaqzu okdtp. Mbl ellr czwl okdtp qlzv ps ealyxu. R lhld rspvle kv sd xu Ysxldvp, yde lhlausdl oyp ps flyzswp sq xl.”
“Someone even asked if I was willing to sell it, but I refused. This is a gift from my son-in-law; no amount of money can buy it.”
Pei Shuchen had temporarily placed the sailfish in the study. Once the shelf she ordered online arrived, she would display it in the living room.
Though Pei Shuchen was a professor, she didn’t carry the rigid, pedantic air of an old academic. On the contrary, she was the lively and cheerful type, humorous and witty with substance. Her choice of words was fresh, and it was obvious her classes were never short on students.
She was such an interesting teacher, and Bai Mu Ning liked her too.
But the phrase “son-in-law” completely stunned him.
Why did it feel like, in Pei Shuchen’s eyes, he and Wen Jing were already married?
Then again, Pei Shuchen truly had a great mindset. Open-minded and highly accepting.
Most parents struggled to accept their children’s sexuality. Coming out often led to serious family conflicts.
At best, constant arguing; at worst, a complete severing of ties.
But with Pei Shuchen, there wasn’t even a trace of family discord. She accepted it all calmly, even actively arranged blind dates for her son, and treated his boyfriend no differently.
Such a family atmosphere was really good and warm.
Now Bai Mu Ning finally understood why Sun Jin was so rebellious. That phrase “the favored one acts recklessly with impunity” suited her perfectly.
He really envied her.
But the moment he thought about the innocent Wen Jing, Bai Mu Ning grew a bit tense. He took a tactical sip of water and said, “As long as Auntie likes it.”
Bai Mu Ning thought: He would never come to this family again.
Pei Shuchen chatted with Bai Mu Ning about life for a while longer, then turned her gaze toward the two brothers in the kitchen and said, “They look really alike, don’t they?”
Bai Mu Ning looked over and nodded.
Calling them “alike” was an understatement; they were completely identical. This had totally screwed him over.
He was supposed to be pursuing the younger brother, but ended up becoming the sister-in-law?
Just thinking about it made Bai Mu Ning feel icy cold in his chest.
“They’re identical twins. They looked exactly the same even as kids. Later on, their father and I split up. He took Xiao Qi overseas, and I stayed in China with Wen Jing. It’s been over 20 years since they last saw each other.”
“I didn’t expect the two of them, even after being apart for so long, to still be so in sync. Even their fashion sense is identical. And their orientations, too, both have boyfriends.”
Bai Mu Ning listened quietly without interrupting. As Pei Shuchen spoke about the brothers, it finally helped him piece together how he got things so wrong.
Wen Jing’s younger brother was named Wen Qi, and he’d been living abroad all this time. His job was also over there. It was only in the past six months, while on a business trip, that he got back in touch with Pei Shuchen and Wen Jing.
When his work ended, he stayed longer because of issues with his boyfriend. Pei Shuchen didn’t know the specifics, just that the boyfriend’s older brother disapproved of their relationship.
Wen Qi hadn’t given up and kept asking Wen Jing to help mediate.
Bai Mu Ning: “…?”
How did an older brother suddenly appear? Wasn’t he the lover?
But now it all made sense. The one entangled with Mr. Zhou’s lover wasn’t Wen Jing, but Wen Qi.
Still, what Bai Mu Ning couldn’t figure out was where the doctor’s identity came from. Who lied?
Pei Shuchen had just mentioned that Wen Qi worked in finance, so not a doctor.
After thinking it through, Bai Mu Ning realized where the problem was.
It must’ve been Mr. Zhou’s lover who had lied about his profession. That little lie was what caused Bai Mu Ning to mistake one brother for the other.
Looks like Mr. Zhou had been deceived too.
Bai Mu Ning felt increasingly uneasy. The more he listened, the more foolish he felt. Why didn’t I investigate a little more before taking on this job?
Pei Shuchen didn’t notice how pale Bai Mu Ning’s face had become and continued speaking, “So Xiao Jing likes the obedient and cute type. If I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have introduced him to someone older.”
Wen Jing, now in his thirties, had always been single and never dated. Pei Shuchen had started getting anxious, so she began looking around for reliable candidates to set him up with.
At first, Wen Jing refused to go on any dates, but he eventually gave in to her persistent nagging and began going on blind dates.
Hearing this, Bai Mu Ning felt even more crushed. Wen Jing had never been in a relationship before. So when he said that kiss was his first, it was true.
The guilt in Bai Mu Ning’s heart deepened again. He really was a terrible person.
But then he recalled what Chen Haonan had said during their first visit to Sanwen Hall. Bai Mu Ning wondered, “Didn’t he have a boyfriend?”
Chen Haonan teased Wen Jing about being a hopeless romantic who wouldn’t break up even when he had a boyfriend.
If it hadn’t been for that line, Bai Mu Ning wouldn’t have ignored the issue with the mole.
Thinking back now, maybe everything had been a mistake from the very beginning.
“That boyfriend was a misunderstanding,” Pei Shuchen explained. “Don’t even mention it. That kid was my colleague’s son. They said he was single, so I arranged a blind date. Who would’ve thought he already had a boyfriend? But then he got interested in Xiao Jing and kept pestering him. When Xiao Jing ignored him, he started spreading rumors that my son seduced someone else’s boyfriend.”
At this point, Pei Shuchen slapped her thigh in anger. “It made me so mad. My son is upright and principled. How could he possibly be a mistress?”
“Xiao Ning, let Auntie tell you, my Xiao Jing…”
Before she could finish, Wen Jing’s voice cut in, “Madam Pei, that’s enough for now. Xiao Ning and I need to go downstairs to get something.”
Pei Shuchen wasn’t done talking and immediately voiced her dissatisfaction. “You brat, dragging Xiao Ning away in such a hurry. Are you feeling guilty? Afraid I’ll bring up how rebellious you used to be, is that it?”
“Madam Pei, you’re overthinking. Alright, Xiao Ning, let’s go.”
Bai Mu Ning followed Wen Jing downstairs. When they reached the car, Wen Jing told him to open the back door. Bai Mu Ning obediently opened it, only to be pushed inside by a sudden force.
Before he could even catch his breath, Wen Jing was already biting his lips in a fierce kiss, like he’d been holding in frustration and was finally letting it all out.
Bai Mu Ning wondered how he had provoked Wen Jing again.
He didn’t know how long the kiss lasted. Just as Bai Mu Ning felt he was about to suffocate, Wen Jing finally pulled away, reluctantly moving to kiss his forehead instead. “You mistook me, didn’t you?”
When he finished speaking, Bai Mu Ning suddenly sobered up, and his heart began to race.
Did I just get exposed?
That couldn’t be, ah. How could Wen Jing know?
Only he and Mr. Zhou knew about the Mistress Deterrent Consultant business. No one else could possibly know.
Bai Mu Ning hadn’t told a soul, not even Li Anche. And Mr. Zhou definitely wouldn’t sabotage himself. So, how the hell did Wen Jing find out?
His heart was racing wildly, and his words came out in a stammer. “Mis… Mistook… What?”
Wen Jing sat up and pulled Bai Mu Ning into his lap, saying, “Just now upstairs, you mistook Wen Qi for me, didn’t you?”
Scared me to death.
His stiff body slowly relaxed. Bai Mu Ning let out a sigh of relief and said, “Well, you never told me you had a twin brother, ah.”
“Your outfits are exactly the same, and you two look like mirror images. Isn’t it completely normal to mix you up?”
If you’d said just one word, none of this would’ve happened today.
From future brother-in-law to brother-in-law, Bai Mu Ning felt bitter ah!
Wen Jing pinched the back of his neck and bit down lightly on his earlobe, his tone low, “You shouldn’t have mistaken us. We’re not the same.”
As he spoke, the hand that usually checked pulses and treated patients wandered toward a much more vital area.
Bai Mu Ning was so scared that he bit his lip. The car was dead silent. He could clearly hear the sound of a zipper being pulled down.
He grabbed Wen Jing’s mischievous hand and began to plead, “Jing-ge, I was wrong, please have mercy!”
This was inside a car! Even though the windows were tinted, that didn’t mean it was completely invisible.
And it was broad daylight, ah!
His “lifeline” suddenly sprang to life, full of energy, standing in stark contrast to its owner’s supposed reluctance. Wen Jing gripped it and said, “Then what should I do about this?”
Bai Mu Ning shot him a glare, thinking: How does it go from a little hill to a towering mountain this easily? Aren’t you supposed to be weak?
Can you at least act a little weak?
Bai Mu Ning bit his lip and struggled to stay composed. “Ignore it. It’ll go down after a while.”
Even he didn’t believe his own words.
Wen Jing had no intention of listening to his protests. His hand kept moving. “My Xiao Ning mistook me for someone else. Will it happen again?”
This man was asking with a straight face, yet doing the dirtiest things with his hands. Bai Mu Ning’s breathing became erratic. He bit his lip and answered repeatedly, “No, it won’t. Really, it won’t.”
As if I’d dare, it’s enough to kill me.
His “lifeline” loved Wen Jing’s hand the most. Under his touch, it couldn’t withstand the stimulation and soon erupted like a volcano, unleashing a flood.
Wen Jing pulled out some tissues to wipe his hand, then helped Bai Mu Ning straighten his clothes and warned, “Don’t let it happen again.”
He didn’t even finish his sentence, but Bai Mu Ning already understood. “There absolutely won’t be a next time. I swear.”
The hand he raised in oath was caught by Wen Jing, who kissed his palm and said, “Mm, I know my Xiao Ning is the most obedient.”
Bai Mu Ning was still panting, thinking to himself: What the hell is going on here!
–
After resting for a while, they headed back upstairs under Pei Shuchen’s urging.
By now, there was one more person in the room; a young man who looked about the same age as Bai Mu Ning. He had delicate features, looked sweet and well-behaved; an obvious good boy type.
The moment Bai Mu Ning saw him, he froze. Mr. Zhou’s profile photo was of this guy. So Wen Qi’s boyfriend had shown up too?
What kind of hellish battlefield is this?
Heaven’s really out to get me.
Wen Qi introduced him, “Jing-ge, this is my boyfriend, Jiang Qingci.”
Wen Jing clearly didn’t know Jiang Qingci. He shook hands with him and greeted politely, “Hello.”
Jiang Qingci smiled sweetly, and even his voice sounded pleasant. “Hi, Jing-ge. I’ve heard so much about you from Qi-ge. I’m so happy to finally meet you.”
Bai Mu Ning’s internal alarm was blaring. Why did it feel like today was his death sentence?
And if they didn’t know each other, then who was it that called Wen Jing on New Year’s Day?
Could it have been Wen Qi?
Right now, Bai Mu Ning just wanted to find a block of tofu and smash his head against it.
It seemed that every turning point in his life was followed by a misunderstanding. If even one of those misunderstandings hadn’t lined up, he wouldn’t have landed himself in this mess.
Wen Qi then said, “This is Jing-ge’s boyfriend, Bai Mu Ning.”
Jiang Qingci glanced at him with a subtle look, and Bai Mu Ning forced a guilty smile. “Hi.”
After introductions, Pei Shuchen called everyone to sit and eat. Her attitude toward Bai Mu Ning and Jiang Qingci was noticeably different. It was less warm and more like polite treatment toward guests.
Bai Mu Ning didn’t know what was going on.
During the meal, Bai Mu Ning felt like he was chewing wax, and eating was extremely uncomfortable.
There were several dishes he usually liked, but now he had no appetite at all.
Wen Jing sat beside him, occasionally picking out food and placing it in his bowl.
After the meal, Wen Jing, Wen Qi, and Jiang Qingci went to the study to talk. Bai Mu Ning was left in the living room, feeling like he was sitting on pins and needles.
Jiang Qingci didn’t come here to snitch, did he?
The shock of realizing he had mistaken the wrong person still hadn’t fully worn off, and Bai Mu Ning hadn’t figured out how to handle it yet. Now with Jiang Qingci suddenly showing up, everything felt even more chaotic.
What if Wen Jing finds out I’m a fraud?
As he sat there restlessly, Pei Shuchen came over with a plate of fruit. “What could they possibly be talking about that they have to do it behind everyone’s back?”
Her tone clearly revealed her displeasure with Jiang Qingci. She didn’t bother hiding her dislike.
“Xiao Ning, let’s not worry about them. Tell Auntie, how did you and Xiao Jing meet?”
They chatted for about ten minutes when the study door opened. The three came out with serious expressions on their faces. Bai Mu Ning completely panicked.
What the hell did they talk about in there?
They chatted for a while longer before finally preparing to leave.
Since Wen Qi didn’t have a domestic driver’s license, he didn’t have a car, so Wen Jing offered to drive them back to the hotel.
Bai Mu Ning sat in the front passenger seat, wanting to escape every single second.
At that moment, Jiang Qingci hesitated before speaking. “Jing-ge, there’s something I want to apologize for.”
Wen Jing remained silent.
“My brother has always been against me being with Qi-ge. He was furious when he found out about him and kept pressuring me to reveal Qi-ge’s identity.”
“I was afraid my brother would hurt Qi-ge, so I lied and said he was a traditional Chinese medicine doctor.”
“But I honestly didn’t know you were a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. It was just a blind cat bumping into a dead mouse.”
Upon hearing that, Bai Mu Ning couldn’t help rolling his eyes. A lie so conveniently placed, how was that not intentional?
No matter how he looked at it, something was off. Concerned about your Qi-ge, but what about the safety of others!
What if that man took revenge on Wen Jing?
He said it wasn’t intentional, but it looked very deliberate to him.
Jiang Qingci kept going, and the car remained in silence.
He said, “Jing-ge, have you noticed any strange people around you lately? I’m worried my brother might pull something and mess with your life. If anything happens, please be careful!”
Bai Mu Ning: “……?”
Seriously, this isn’t directed at him?
Why did he feel like Jiang Qingci kept glancing at him on purpose, Was he hinting at something? Could it be that he’s preparing to expose him?
Oh my god, how is this a birthday banquet? It’s clearly his battlefield of carnage.
Author’s note:
Xiao Ning is about to start acting up.
im rereading it now and honestly that lil boyfriend kinda made me mad. he sounds like a real green tea b