Chapter Eighteen

Youyi had drunk a bit too much tonight, and on top of that, he was restless and irritable. So when he sat across from Hanze, his attention kept drifting. He leaned back in his chair, gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking out his phone every so often to check the time.

“In a hurry to get back?” The man sitting opposite him asked with an impassive face, his voice low and even.

That man was none other than his eldest brother, Hanze.

Hanze was just over thirty, with clear-cut features and deep-set eyes. The allure of a mature man seemed to emanate from every unintentional glance he cast. He wore black-rimmed glasses, his figure tall and slender rather than burly, his nose straight and skin fair. In stark contrast to Youyi’s wild, untamed aura, Hanze exuded a quiet gravity, with a statesman’s composure—neither cold nor fervent, like a stretch of ocean at midnight, unfathomable and serene.

“That’s right.” Youyi dragged out the words wearily. “I haven’t even fed the cats and dogs at home.”

Hanze regarded his younger brother with a calm, distant gaze. “I didn’t come here to make you go back. I’m just relaying a few things from Father. There’s no reason for you to be so agitated.”

Only then did Youyi turn to face him, skeptical. “Really?”

“Really.”

“All right, then go ahead.”

“How long have you been married?”

“Two years.”

“Why didn’t you tell the family?”

“I forgot.”

Hanze stared at him in silence, his expression unchanged. After a few seconds, Youyi began to fidget. “It’s not a big deal.”

“It is a big deal,” Hanze replied dispassionately, his tone as even as ever. “You know how high the standards are for the family’s heirs when it comes to choosing a spouse.”

“That’s exactly why you’re still single in your thirties, always following the old man’s path for you.” He muttered under his breath, adding, “Haven’t even been in a relationship.”

Hanze lowered his eyes to his teacup, a strange look flitting across his face. After a long while, he said, “It does seem that way.”

Watching his brother actually pondering the question in all seriousness, Youyi’s lips twitched involuntarily.

Brother, do you have to be so honest?

Hanze looked up again. “What do you do for a living in this city?”

Youyi raised his brows. “I own a few nightclubs and bars, and a casino… well, the casino got shut down after some trouble recently, but I plan to open another one after the New Year—”

“You beat up the mayor’s nephew.”

“You’ve already investigated everything, so why ask me?”

“How did you resolve it?”

“My connections—”

“When you left home, you researched every official in V City and dug up dirt on all of them.”

“Big brother, are you messing with me? Do you want me to answer or not?”

Hanze paused for a few seconds. “Then I’ll ask what I don’t know.”

“…”

“What are your future plans?”

“None.”

“Any intention to start a company?”

“No.”

“Your spouse is the CEO of a listed company in V City. The annual revenue from your bars doesn’t even come close to a fraction of his company’s profits. Don’t you feel ashamed?”

“Not at all—wait, what does that have to do with anything?”

“How much do you have in savings now?”

“It’s all with my wife. How would I know?”

“Do you love him?”

“That’s love, you wouldn’t understand. Seriously, big brother, what is it you want to say? Just be direct, please. Do you know what happens if I get home after ten thirty?” Youyi glanced at his phone. “Forty minutes left. It’s a half-hour drive from here. I’m begging you, let’s finish in ten minutes.”

“Father wants to establish a company in V City, and you’ll be the majority shareholder.”

Youyi forced a smile. “I don’t know the first thing about it. Isn’t he afraid I’ll ruin his business?”

“Father started teaching you business at thirteen. You absorbed ten years of his lessons before you snuck off to V City. You know everything. You could even outdo your spouse if you wanted.”

“Don’t flatter me. The more you praise me, the more I forget. Besides, you’re the future head of the family. As long as CEO Hanze is excellent, why drag me along? If I don’t want to do it, I won’t. If you want me to start a company, I’d rather work as my wife’s assistant.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

“Then get a divorce tomorrow, come back with me to the home country. Our family’s main assets are in Europe. There’s a lot you should be handling. Besides, Father and Mother miss you. If you come back—”

“Wait.”

“What is it?”

“Can I sever ties with the family?”

“I think…” Hanze replied solemnly, “That’s not possible.”

“…”

---

When Youyi got home, it was already past ten thirty. Luckily, Xiaoyu hadn’t returned yet.

About ten minutes later, Youyi had already showered when he heard a car engine outside.

He peered out the window.

Wen Ming was dropping Xiaoyu off.

After Xiaoyu got out, Wen Ming followed. He seemed to want to say something, circling the car to catch up with Xiaoyu as he headed for the apartment building. It wasn’t clear what they said, but in the end, Wen Ming pulled him into a hug.

“Damn it!”

Youyi cursed and dashed out of the room.

By the time he reached downstairs, Wen Ming had already driven off.

Xiaoyu turned around and saw Youyi standing at the entrance, chest rising and falling with ragged breaths.

Youyi was wearing a bathrobe, his sturdy calves bare to the night air. Even Xiaoyu felt cold just looking at him.

“Why did you come out dressed like that?” Xiaoyu hurried over, took off his own scarf, and wrapped it around Youyi’s neck, scolding, “Do you think you’re invincible? Get back inside!”

Youyi stood his ground, staring at Xiaoyu. “Weren’t you going to explain?”

“Explain what?”

“On the phone—you said you’d explain when you got back. Why did you have tea with your ex? Why were you out so late? Why did you let him hug you?”

“Have you been drinking again tonight?”

“I’m not drunk, I’m perfectly clear.”

“We’ll talk inside.” Xiaoyu pushed him toward the door. “You’ll catch a cold out here like this.”

Youyi wanted to keep being stubborn, but his legs were already starting to give out.

“All right, but you have to explain when we get inside.”

Seeing his partner trying to act angry but not daring to, Xiaoyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Fine, I’ll explain everything at home.”

Once inside, with the door shut, Youyi stared at Xiaoyu like a debt collector.

First Xiaoyu went to the cat’s bed to pet the gentle, quiet Tangyuan, then took a shower, and finally handed Youyi the hairdryer to help him dry his hair.

This time, Youyi didn’t throw a tantrum but diligently dried Xiaoyu’s hair.

“Fatty, you really don’t need to be jealous of Wen Ming,” Xiaoyu said, leaning against the headboard, speaking before Youyi could ask. “He’s part of my past. Today was just about settling old matters. Now that they’re settled, he won’t bother me again.”

Lying down, Youyi wrapped his arms around Xiaoyu’s waist, lightly biting at his lover’s lean side. After a while, he muttered, “Xiaoyu, why do I always feel like I can’t hold on to you?”

Xiaoyu frowned. “What would it take for you to feel secure?”

Youyi thought seriously. “I want you to rely on me for everything, to make me your whole world.”

Xiaoyu couldn’t help but laugh, ruffling his hair. “Rely on you? You, a fat layabout who only knows how to eat, drink, and gamble—what would I rely on you for?”

Youyi’s voice dropped. “Do you look down on me?”

“You’re definitely drunk.”

“Xiaoyu, why don’t you make our relationship public? I want everyone to know I’m your man.”

“That’s not urgent, is it? Aren’t we fine as we are?”

Youyi said nothing. He pulled open Xiaoyu’s robe and buried his face in his chest, licking his lover’s skin with fervor.

Xiaoyu closed his eyes, tilting his head back with a soft gasp. “Fatty, go easy…”

“Xiaoyu…” Youyi mumbled, “The higher you stand, the further you seem from me.”

“You… ah… don’t talk nonsense…”

(Ha Qianjun: Isn’t big brother just irresistible~~)