Chapter Twenty-His Boss(Brother Yawn)

Ever since Yi Xiaoyu returned from his friend’s birthday party, You Yige noticed he had become somewhat absent-minded. Sometimes he would stare at the computer for ages, his expression complex and unreadable. You Yige thought perhaps Yi Xiaoyu was troubled by something at work, so he tried every day to cheer him up, finally even sneaking off to ask Yi Yu whether things were running smoothly at Yi Xiaoyu’s company.

Yi Yu wasn’t sure either, but told You Yige that recently Yi Xiaoyu had taken an interest in a plot of land in the X district of V City. However, because the risks were high and liquid assets were limited, he had been hesitating.

“Send me the information about this land,” You Yige requested.

“Why do you want it?” Yi Yu asked.

“Uh… just to see if there’s any way I can help.”

“How about this, then, You-ge. Come over to my place and I’ll explain it all to you. My brother put me in charge of this, and I’ve been gathering the materials to hand over to him in a couple of days.”

“Alright. I remember Xiaoyu mentioned he has a business dinner tomorrow evening, so I’ll come to your apartment then.”

After work, Yi Xiaoyu returned home, planning to shower before going out to dinner with You Yige. While he was in the shower, his phone, left out in the living room, suddenly rang. You Yige, who was nearby, playing with Tangyuan, glanced at the caller ID and his expression immediately darkened.

Wen Ming…

When did Xiaoyu start saving this person’s number with a note?

Just then, Yi Xiaoyu emerged from the bathroom, towel in hand, drying his hair as he asked, “Who was calling?”

You Yige picked up Tangyuan and turned toward the cat’s bed, tossing back over his shoulder, “Your old flame.”

Seeing the caller ID on his phone, Yi Xiaoyu only frowned, paid no mind to You Yige, and answered the call as he walked to the window. “Is there something you need?”

Crouching by the cat’s bed, You Yige watched Yi Xiaoyu’s gentle expression from afar and felt a nerve throbbing at his temple.

Since when did he speak to that man in such a soft voice?

“Alright, I understand… Mm, I’ll be there on time… No need to pick me up, I have a driver… Okay, that’s all, goodbye…”

Yi Xiaoyu hung up, turned around, and was startled to find You Yige standing silently behind him.

He blurted out, “You damned fatty, are you trying to scare me to death?”

After cursing, he started toward the bedroom to change, but You Yige suddenly grabbed his arm and asked, “Where are you going?”

“What’s wrong with you? Aren’t we going out to eat?”

“I don’t mean that. I’m asking about what you just said on the phone—are you going to meet that pretty boy?”

Yi Xiaoyu shook off You Yige’s hand, visibly upset. “Can you stop being so childish? It’s work. Get those ridiculous thoughts out of your head!”

“He’s just a jewelry designer, not an engineer. How could you possibly be working together?” You Yige’s voice grew louder, unable to contain his frustration. “Didn’t you say it was over with him? You promised me…”

Yi Xiaoyu wanted to shout back but held himself in check. After living together for two years, he understood this stubborn man better than anyone. His anger always came from caring too much.

It wasn’t worth arguing over something so small.

Yi Xiaoyu exhaled, calmed himself, and held You Yige’s hand. “Fatty, trust me, it’s genuinely for work. I have a development project that’s stalled for lack of funds. Wen Ming found me a potential partner, and I’m just going to meet him.”

You Yige turned his face aside, voice much quieter. “I don’t want you seeing him.”

“I already said it’s for work. Why can’t you understand?”

“…I just don’t want you to have any contact with him,” You Yige retorted, taking a deep breath. “He obviously still has feelings for you. He’s just using these excuses to see you again and again. The thought of what he’s thinking about when he meets you makes me furious—I could kill him!”

Yi Xiaoyu’s expression changed, and he instinctively pushed You Yige away. “What are you talking about?”

The push only made You Yige angrier. He shouted, “You’re not allowed to see him. You’re my partner—you have to listen to me!”

The words were out before he could regret them.

In the two years they’d been together, he had never dared to speak so forcefully to Yi Xiaoyu. First, because he knew Yi Xiaoyu wouldn’t accept it; second, because he feared it would create distance between them.

He could endure Yi Xiaoyu’s scolding and criticism, but not his cold indifference afterward.

“Listen to you?” Yi Xiaoyu sneered. “I pay for everything I eat and use myself. Unless I’m willing, no one has the right to make me do anything. You Yige, stop playing the boss in front of me—I’m not your underling.”

You Yige felt his heart twist into a knot, Yi Xiaoyu’s resolute words making it hard to breathe. “You’re the CEO, you’re always above everyone at work, giving orders. So being with me gives you a sense of achievement, right? I try so hard to please and love you, put you before everything, but to you, that’s just how it should be, isn’t it?”

“What nonsense is this?” Yi Xiaoyu shot him a glare and headed for the bedroom. “Ridiculous.”

Desperate, You Yige shouted after him, “Do you regret being with me? Do you wish you could run back to that pretty boy?”

Yi Xiaoyu finally lost his composure. He turned and threw the towel he’d been drying his hair with straight at You Yige’s face, snapping, “Stop calling him a pretty boy—Wen Ming is better than you in every way!”

The words were harsh and, like water spilled, couldn’t be taken back. Without looking back, Yi Xiaoyu stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door shut.

You Yige felt as though a ball of heat was about to explode in his chest…

Wen Ming is better than you in every way!

Yi Xiaoyu was in the bedroom changing his clothes when a loud crash came from the living room. He quickly dressed and hurried out to find the glass coffee table overturned, teacups shattered across the floor.

You Yige was gone.

Yi Xiaoyu was overwhelmed with frustration, rubbing his aching temples before muttering, “Damn fatty,” and began cleaning up.

Dinner together was now out of the question. After tidying up, Yi Xiaoyu boiled some frozen dumplings for supper.

After eating, he changed into pajamas and lounged on the bed, browsing stocks.

As it neared half past ten, he considered calling You Yige but held back.

By half past ten, You Yige still hadn’t returned. Yi Xiaoyu sent a text: If you’re not back by eleven, deal with the consequences yourself.

But by midnight, there was still no sign of You Yige, nor any response to his message.

It was only after leaving home that You Yige realized he’d forgotten his wallet, taking only the car keys and his phone.

The plan to stay at a hotel fell through.

After some thought, he drove over to Xiao Zhou’s place, planning to borrow some money.

He had no intention of going home tonight.

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After dinner, Xiao You was washing dishes in the kitchen, while Xiao Zhou reclined on the sofa, cigarette between his lips, watching TV.

Finishing up, Xiao You came into the living room, squatting by the shoe rack to polish a few pairs of leather shoes Xiao Zhou might wear the next day.

“Pour me a glass of water,” Xiao Zhou said, eyes still on the TV. “Hurry up, I’m dying of thirst.”

Xiao You got up, poured some water, handed the cup to Xiao Zhou, and returned to the shoe rack.

“Oh, right,” Xiao Zhou suddenly remembered something. “When are you off for the holidays?”

“Soon,” Xiao You replied vaguely, not looking up.

“So you’re going home when the holidays start?”

“Yes.”

“Damn, you just went home not long ago, and now you’re going back again.”

Xiao You’s voice was calm, betraying no emotion. “It’s for the New Year.”

Xiao Zhou frowned, as if considering something, then got up and walked behind Xiao You, grinning. “How about I go home with you for New Year’s, meet your parents?”

Xiao You’s body tensed. He stood and headed for the bathroom, face expressionless. “I’ll go run your bath.”

Xiao Zhou grabbed him, “Hey, hey, are you deaf? Don’t want me to go home with you?”

Xiao You stared at the carpet. “No.”

“Then what’s with that face?”

“My hometown’s pretty remote, just a poor little town. I’m worried you won’t be used to it.”

“Is that so?” Xiao Zhou laughed, wrapping his arms around Xiao You’s waist, murmuring in his ear, “Doesn’t matter. As long as it’s your home, I’ll love it. Imagine your parents when you bring home a tall, rich, and handsome guy like me—they’ll be over the moon.” With that, he kissed Xiao You on the cheek.

Xiao You turned his face away, saying nothing.

Just as Xiao Zhou’s hand slipped mischievously into Xiao You’s pants, the doorbell rang.

Xiao You quickly broke free. “I’ll get the door.”

(Ha Qian here: Good night~~)