Chapter Fifteen

During the morning meeting, Yi Xiaoyu gave particular praise to Yi Yu, affirming his abilities just as he did with other outstanding employees. After the meeting, Yi Xiaoyu called Yi Yu into his office.

“The project you’re in charge of will be handed over to Mr. Chen. Make sure to do the handover with him this afternoon,” Yi Xiaoyu said.

“So, from now on…” Yi Yu started.

“You’ll follow me,” Yi Xiaoyu replied, expressionless. “Joseph has family matters and won’t come until after the New Year. For now, you’ll temporarily take over his duties. Don’t let me down.”

“I definitely won’t,” Yi Yu said, visibly excited. “Big brother—”

“Address me as President Yi in the company.”

Yi Yu pursed his lips, then smiled. “President Yi, why did you suddenly appoint me as your assistant? I always thought you…”

“I reward and punish fairly, and never let personal feelings interfere with work. Now, do you have any questions about your new responsibilities?”

“…None.”

“Take a look at this and tell me your thoughts.” Yi Xiaoyu handed Yi Yu a project plan.

Yi Yu studied it carefully. “If we could acquire this land for commercial development, the profit would be immeasurable. Even if we do nothing and sell it on, it would bring considerable income. But the initial investment is huge—won’t the risk be too much?”

Yi Xiaoyu nodded. “You’re right. Still, I’m determined to get this land. Investigate the property rights and any potential debts associated with it. I’ll discuss the funding with the board. Let’s try to finalize this before the New Year.”

“Understood.”

Yi Xiaoyu’s face remained impassive. “If there’s nothing else, get to work.”

“Okay.”

Yi Yu had just walked a few steps out the door before turning back. He lowered his voice at Yi Xiaoyu’s desk, “Big brother, you suddenly trust me like this—it makes me uneasy.”

He absolutely didn’t believe Yi Xiaoyu had truly forgiven him, allowing him to be involved in such an important company project without reservation. Yi Xiaoyu was a fox.

Yi Xiaoyu looked up, indifferent. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Yi Yu flashed a neat row of white teeth, grinned, “Yes, President Yi. I’ll get to work. Goodbye, President Yi.”

Yi Yu turned to leave. Yi Xiaoyu’s gaze lingered until the office door closed. He pressed the intercom, “Xiao Yang, have Vice President Chen come to my office.”

The more capable Yi Yu became, the less Yi Xiaoyu wanted to keep him in his company.

To Yi Xiaoyu, Yi Yu was a wolf cub, just like his mother—greedy and opportunistic. He was polite only for his father’s sake, but Yi Xiaoyu would never give mother and son the chance to meddle in his company’s affairs. Even if Yi Yu meant no harm, he didn’t want to see a face that resembled that woman’s in front of him every day. He had to find a reason to send him away, and ensure his father had nothing to say about it.

That evening, Yi Xiaoyu dined with the director of the Environmental Protection Bureau in V City over a land approval issue. It was very late by the time the half-drunk director was sent home by his assistant. After seeing the director’s car off at the hotel entrance, Yi Xiaoyu called You Yige.

The phone connected, and he was greeted by deafening electronic music.

It was Xiao Zhou who answered. “Brother Xiao, the boss is in the restroom. I’ll have him call you back when he returns.”

“No need. Just tell him to head home early.”

After hanging up, Yi Xiaoyu walked to the roadside to hail a taxi, deciding to leave his car behind until someone could bring it to the company in the morning.

Just as he reached the curb, a black Porsche stopped in front of him. The window rolled down, and Wen Ming’s gentle smile appeared.

“Get in, Xiaoyu. I’ll drive you home.”

After a moment’s surprise, Yi Xiaoyu recovered his blank expression. “I’ll take a cab.”

“Xiaoyu, you’re avoiding me.”

“You’re overthinking it.”

“Then why won’t you even let me drive you home?” Wen Ming smiled softly. “Just as a friend.”

He leaned over and opened the passenger door. “Come on. If we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends, right?”

Yi Xiaoyu finally got in. He didn’t want Wen Ming—or himself—to feel he still harbored lingering feelings for the past. If he had truly moved on, everything between them should feel natural.

Once they were in the car, Wen Ming turned on the stereo, and a love song from years ago played softly.

“Do you remember that arts evening during sophomore year?” Wen Ming watched the road, smiling. “You sang this song on stage. The students cheered so loudly. I remember the next day, you received two confession letters from freshmen girls. You couldn’t be bothered to open them, just tossed them to me.”

Yi Xiaoyu gazed out the window. “It’s been four or five years since we graduated. I’ve long forgotten those things.”

“But I still remember.” Wen Ming said quietly. “I’ve kept the recording from that night. During my two years abroad, whenever I missed you, I couldn’t help but watch it again.”

Yi Xiaoyu didn’t reply, but gave a faint, almost inaudible laugh.

He could no longer convince himself to believe Wen Ming’s words.

Wen Ming unconsciously gripped the steering wheel tighter, his voice low. “Two years ago, I…”

“That’s all in the past. Between friends, there’s no need to bring it up.”

“Xiaoyu, let’s find somewhere to talk properly.”

“So this is your real reason for coming to see me tonight?” Yi Xiaoyu rubbed his temples, weary. “Alright, let’s go to that tea restaurant ahead.”

He knew that if he didn’t give Wen Ming a chance to “explain,” Wen Ming would keep pestering him. There were things he had wanted to say for a long time.

Inside the tea restaurant, Yi Xiaoyu ordered only a cup of hot tea for himself. He drank quietly, his face serene. “Go ahead.”

Wen Ming released a slow breath. “Do you remember the girlfriend my mother introduced to me?”

“I do. You called her Yan Yan—a high-born lady, a perfect match for you.”

Wen Ming’s expression darkened, but he went on. “Two years ago, I broke up with you because… she was pregnant. It happened after a night of drinking…” He paused, voice low. “After I went abroad, I found out she wasn’t pregnant at all. Nothing happened between us that night. It was all a scheme by my mother and hers.”

Yi Xiaoyu was unmoved by Wen Ming’s “story.” He looked at him calmly. “So you’re saying you were deceived, and left only because you felt responsible for her?”

“Not just that. My father’s company was hit hard—cash flow problems, several lawsuits, almost couldn’t survive. Yan Yan’s father approached me, said if I married his daughter, he’d help my father’s business through the crisis. My parents pressured me. When I believed Yan Yan was carrying my child, I felt I had no choice.”

“Do you want to hear what I think?”

“…Xiaoyu.”

“Then listen.” Yi Xiaoyu set down his teacup. “I always knew you and I weren’t the same. I’m gay; you’re bi. You fell for that woman, didn’t you…”

“It’s not what you think—”

“Let me finish. You fell for her, but couldn’t let go of our seven-year relationship. Then your father’s company was on the brink of bankruptcy. You cared too much about your status, afraid of losing everything. That woman offered you an olive branch, so you went with her, justifying it to yourself. I was immature in love then; when I felt you drifting away, I clung to you, haunting you, sometimes like a lunatic, warning you not to leave me. When you realized you couldn’t shake me off, you simply broke up by phone. While I searched everywhere for you, you quietly left the country with your girlfriend…”

“Xiao—”

“Right, I forgot—the woman’s mother is a world-famous jewelry designer. She could help you realize your dream as a designer. So many temptations: her beauty, her father’s help for your family, her mother’s support for your ambitions. All of it, enough for you to leave behind countless versions of me. Wen Ming, do you know? When you left me, I kept thinking—if you ever came back, I’d expose your ugly true self in front of everyone… But now, I think it’s best we each go our way.”

“Why must you see me as so ugly?” Wen Ming said painfully, breathing hard. “Seven years together, am I really that kind of person in your eyes?”

Yi Xiaoyu seemed a little agitated too, gripping his cup tightly, but in the end he relaxed and smiled softly. “That’s because you don’t know how much I hated you when you left me without a word.”

(Ha Qian Bro: I accidentally saw the girls chatting in the group and realized I set the scheduled release time for this chapter wrong—it was set for tomorrow night at eight, so it’s only being posted now~~ sob sob, so sorry! As compensation, I’ll write a little extra chapter about Yuan Er and Brother Xu this week~~ sob sob, please keep loving me~~)