"You can’t?" Jiang Yisheng was astonished. He couldn’t use a coffee machine?

Ji Mingqian honestly shook his head and replied righteously, "Can’t."

He and the kitchen were almost incompatible; it would be accurate to say they were like water and fire. If he were to make coffee, he could only ruin the coffee beans.

Usually, when he was alone, he would just make instant coffee.

"Actually, it’s really not good to drink coffee so late," Jiang Yisheng considered for a moment and then advised.

Knowing he meant well, Ji Mingqian curled his lips into a smile and casually lied, "I can’t sleep without coffee; I’m picky with beds."

Jiang Yisheng was stunned, "Isn’t coffee supposed to keep you awake?"

This was the first time he’d heard that coffee could help someone sleep.

"Not for me," Ji Mingqian said with a brazen lie.

Jiang Yisheng looked at him half-believing, half-doubting, feeling that his words weren’t very credible.

"You..."

Suddenly, the man tugged at his sleeve, his crimson lips curving up, his voice low and lazy, "Help a brother out, will you?"

"You really want to drink it?" Jiang Yisheng looked down at the hand grasping his shirt corner, his gentle smile tinged with helplessness.

Ji Mingqian nodded, "Just one cup will do."

Setting down the mug, Jiang Yisheng walked over to the cupboard, opened a drawer, and took out some coffee beans.

Ji Mingqian leaned to one side and watched him, the man slowly fiddling with the coffee machine, the simple outfit of black pants and a white T-shirt on him, yet unable to hide his unique, elegant nobility.

The light shone on his profile, his delicate features as if finely sculpted with meticulous detail in ink painting; with a wig on, people could easily mistake him for a girl.

Thinking this, his imagination gradually became more whimsical.

His thoughts were pulled back only when the man not far away spoke up.

"Ji Mingqian, why are those people trying to kill you?"

Ji Mingqian laughed carelessly, "Maybe because I’m too handsome."

Jiang Yisheng lowered his eyes, "I didn’t mean anything by it, just asking."

Ji Mingqian replied indifferently, "What if I say I also don’t know why they are trying to kill me, would you believe that?"

Upon his words, he drew a sidelong glance, "You and Jiuliang seem to have a lot of secrets."

Ji Mingqian appeared forthright, "In this day and age, who doesn’t have a few secrets?"

The rich aroma of coffee wafted through the air, interrupting their conversation.

Ji Mingqian conscientiously picked up a mug to wash, then handed it to Jiang Yisheng.

Not too much, not too little, the perfect cup of coffee poured out, steaming hot.

"Take your time drinking, I’ll head back to my room," Jiang Yisheng said as he pulled out a paper towel to wipe his hands, picked up his own mug, and then hobbled out of the kitchen.

Ji Mingqian sipped his coffee, his dark eyes twinkling faintly.

The coffee was good.

...

The next day, Jiang Yisheng was taken aback when he saw Li Mochan coming out of the study.

He rubbed his eyes. Li Mochan was still in his robe, seeming like he had just woken up.

And he was clutching a pillow in his hand.

Thus, he made a bold guess.

"Cousin, did you sleep in the study last night?" he asked tentatively.

Could it be that he had quarreled with Jiuliang and got kicked out?

Li Mochan, clutching the pillow, gave him a sidelong glance, "What did you see?"

Facing his deep dark eyes, Jiang Yisheng immediately backtracked, "I, I didn’t see anything."

He covered his eyes with his hand; the steps he intended to take downstairs were quickly reversed as he turned back to his room.

Li Mochan’s face darkened; for the first time, he felt having tight doors and windows in Mo Garden was a mistake.

Walking back to the bedroom, the locked door was conveniently open.

"Good morning, Fifth Master," Ye Jiuliang had already changed into his school uniform, and upon seeing Li Mochan, he greeted him with a cheery wave.

Li Mochan glanced at her coldly, silent as he walked into the bedroom.

Angry, was he?

Ye Jiuliang arched an eyebrow, her legs stride straight as she followed behind him.

"Master Li, are you really angry?"

She reached out and poked his arm, but before she could withdraw her hand, the silent person in front of her suddenly moved.

A long arm pulled her over, and losing her balance, Ye Jiuliang fell onto his body.

Both of them tumbled onto the bed, a shadow falling over them. Ye Jiuliang lifted her head and looked into the man’s deep, cold eyes.

"You little brat, making me sleep in the study for the night, you’ve got quite the heart," Li Mochan pinched her face, his thin lips curling into a dangerous smile.

"It’s your fault for bullying me," Ye Jiuliang grinned.

Li Mochan narrowed his eyes, "I bullied you?"

She must be kidding.

"Get up already, I’m going to be late for school," Ye Jiuliang said nonchalantly, surprisingly aware of the concept of "being punctual for school."

"No need to go, I’ll give you a leave of absence," Li Mochan encircled her hand, freeing his other hand to tug at the buttons on her shirt.

He’d spent a night sleeping in the study; he had to reclaim some interest.

"Li Mochan, are you looking for a fight this early in the morning?" Ye Jiuliang widened her eyes, "If you tear my clothes, I’ll never let you off."

Li Mochan pretended not to hear, applying a bit more force with his fingertips.

A button popped off.

The delicate line of her collarbone was faintly visible.

Ye Jiuliang, infuriated, raised her fist to his face.

"Li Mochan, I’ll never let you off."

Li Mochan tilted his head to dodge, his large hand catching her fist tightly.

"Dare you let me sleep in the study again?" he asked.

Ye Jiuliang insisted on arguing, "From now on, you can sleep in the study, I’m not sharing a room with you anymore."

She absolutely could not lose on her home turf.

Li Mochan’s gaze deepened, his head lowering into her shoulder.

Hisss.

Ye Jiuliang frowned slightly, pushing him away with her hand.

Damn, he’s biting.

"Li Mochan, dare you bite me?"

"Cough cough, excuse me for a moment."

At the door, Jiang Yisheng suppressed his laughter, a hint of embarrassment flashing in his eyes.

Li Mochan stood up, his gaze darkening as he swept over Jiang Yisheng, "You’d better have something important to say."

"Jiuliang, the Ye Family has sent someone for you," Jiang Yisheng shivered, hurriedly adding, "They’re waiting outside right now."

The old man must be up to some new trick.

Ye Jiuliang frowned, straightened her collar, and walked outside, "I’m going down now."

"Cousin, I’ll go prepare breakfast," Jiang Yisheng said with a forced smile, catching a glimpse of Li Mochan’s deadly stare.

The gate of Mo Garden, closely guarded.

Aren stood by the car, gazing through the iron bars into the courtyard.

Unable to see Ye Jiuliang come out after a long wait, urgency crept into his expression.

At last, Ye Jiuliang finally came out, holding a bottle of juice in her hand.

The guard at the door, seeing her, respectfully bowed down.

"Open the gate," Ye Jiuliang said, biting her straw lazily.

"Yes."

As the door opened, Aren immediately approached.

"Miss Jiuliang," he said.

Ye Jiuliang replied, "Out with it, what do you want?"

Aren said, "Miss Jiuliang, the old master is sick, could you please come back and visit him?"

The anxious look on his face didn’t seem feigned. Ye Jiuliang glanced at the car behind him.

"Let’s go."

Without asking further, she opened the rear door of the car and climbed straight in.