Chapter Three

In truth, when You Yi Ge looked back on the incident later, he felt rather grateful for Yi Xiao Yu’s kick. Given Yi Xiao Yu’s temperament, it would have taken at least two months to win him back under normal circumstances.

Yet, the very next day, Yi Xiao Yu forgave him.

Yi Xiao Yu wasn’t exactly no longer angry at You Yi Ge; he had simply been frightened by the sight of You Yi Ge spitting blood that night. In that moment, his mind was consumed by the thought: had he really stomped this fat man to death?

Recalling how he felt two years ago when he first met You Yi Ge in a bar, Yi Xiao Yu could never have imagined that one day he would care so much about this marriage, born from a fleeting impulse.

Yi Xiao Yu still remembered vividly, when confronted with his question, “Do you want to marry me?” the two-hundred-pound You Yi Ge nodded dumbly and said, “I do. Can we?”

You Yi Ge took quite some time to recover from his injury.

During this period, his underlings all learned that their boss had his rib broken by his wife in a fit of rage after catching him cheating. It was simply madness.

You Yi Ge had no time to worry about how wild his subordinates’ imaginations might run. Though he and Yi Xiao Yu kept their marriage hidden, their life together was as full of the usual couple’s amusements as any. On weekends, they drove out for leisure; on weekdays, each attended to their own affairs. In the evenings, they often dined out or strolled through shopping malls, sometimes even visiting adult stores together to pick out a few things.

Yi Xiao Yu’s days were far busier than You Yi Ge’s. Besides managing the company, he had to navigate myriad social obligations. Even so, his routine remained orderly; no matter how late or hectic the day, he always made it home before eleven o’clock.

This was an agreement between them.

Yi Xiao Yu would return home before eleven, and You Yi Ge had to be back by ten-thirty.

You Yi Ge typically slept until after nine in the morning. Compared to Yi Xiao Yu, his days were far more carefree. After eating the breakfast Yi Xiao Yu left him, he’d make his rounds at his various casinos, sometimes gambling a bit himself if he was in a good mood, or dealing with those seeking loans or repayments.

He wasn’t particularly famous in City X, but he was a local kingpin nobody dared provoke.

To maintain his newly sculpted physique, You Yi Ge set aside two days a week for the gym. His body was bronzed, with muscles sleek and well-defined but not exaggerated—one could call him sexy, and he was truly a sight to behold.

You Yi Ge loved walking his dog, often taking Shallot out for strolls in the evening. Sometimes he’d bring Shallot along to his venues; the two, man and dog, striding one after the other, looked quite imposing. If Yi Xiao Yu had to work late, You Yi Ge would head to his private underground boxing ring for a few rounds, releasing his wildness and aggression amidst the crowd’s cheers, until he was drenched in sweat.

This life—peaceful yet never dull, sweet but never cloying—was one You Yi Ge savored. The only thing that left him feeling powerless was Yi Xiao Yu’s relentless busyness.

He had enough money to let Yi Xiao Yu live freely, but seeing him pour so much effort and energy into his company every day, he couldn’t bring himself to ask Yi Xiao Yu to abandon his career and live a carefree life alongside him.

Yi Xiao Yu was an ambitious man. It had taken him six years to build his company, and now he was at the peak of his career. No reason, it seemed, could ever persuade him to step away.

Still, Yi Xiao Yu took pleasure in his work; it was far easier now than during the startup days.

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“Get up.” Yi Xiao Yu tapped You Yi Ge’s forehead. “You’re so heavy I can hardly breathe.”

After every time they made love, You Yi Ge liked to press himself tightly against Yi Xiao Yu, burying his face in the crook of Yi Xiao Yu’s neck, as if he wished to meld his skin completely with Yi Xiao Yu’s.

“Not getting up.” You Yi Ge chuckled softly. “I want to go again.”

In matters of stamina, Boss You was truly extraordinary. Usually, out of consideration for Yi Xiao Yu’s work the next day, he restrained himself. But tomorrow was the weekend, and tonight he was determined to indulge.

For You Yi Ge, nothing drove him more wild than seeing Yi Xiao Yu beneath him.

No one could compare to his Xiao Yu.

Boss You had always believed this: the greatest blessing of his life was meeting Yi Xiao Yu that day, and, an hour later, stumbling into marriage with him.

He had never understood what Yi Xiao Yu saw in him back then. He had some money, sure, but compared to Yi Xiao Yu—who moved among the elite of City V, exuding the air of a “premium product”—You Yi Ge seemed little more than a crude street thug.

Yi Xiao Yu never gave him a reason, and You Yi Ge never asked. They were already husbands, so why bother with the why? As far as he was concerned, he’d won out.

After the passion faded, Yi Xiao Yu habitually slept with his back to You Yi Ge, while You Yi Ge always liked to wrap himself tightly around Yi Xiao Yu from behind, nibbling gently at his ear and occasionally rubbing against him.

Every time, Yi Xiao Yu would scold him, half annoyed, half amused, “Have you no shame?”

Boss You never felt embarrassed—instead, he would laugh wickedly, “Nope.”

The next morning, Yi Xiao Yu woke after nine. At that moment, You Yi Ge was hugging him, deeply asleep, yet even in dreams, he couldn’t resist rubbing his chin against Yi Xiao Yu’s hair, until Yi Xiao Yu finally slapped him awake.

“I’m hungry.” Yi Xiao Yu’s voice was hoarse, still groggy, his body aching from last night’s exertions. “Go boil the wontons in the fridge, hurry up.”

Boss You snuggled up to Yi Xiao Yu for a bit longer, then rolled over and sat up, stretching lazily before getting out of bed naked and dressing calmly at the bedside.

Those sculpted muscles of Boss You’s made Yi Xiao Yu’s eyes twitch, and he turned away awkwardly.

Boss You arched his brow, feeling smug.

He liked Yi Xiao Yu’s steadiness, liked his occasional arrogance, but what he enjoyed most was Yi Xiao Yu’s rare moments of embarrassment.

You Yi Ge placed his hands on either side of Yi Xiao Yu’s head, staring at his face. Yi Xiao Yu pushed at You Yi Ge’s chest, “What are you doing? Go make breakfast. Shallot’s already scratching at the door—didn’t you hear?”

“Xiao Yu,” You Yi Ge said softly, “We’ve been married for two years, but you haven’t taken me to meet your parents.”

Yi Xiao Yu paused, then frowned, “There’s nothing worth meeting. Isn’t this just fine?”

You Yi Ge considered it, then nodded in agreement, “Alright, not meeting them then—whatever you say.”

“Go make breakfast.”

“Okay!”

After breakfast, Yi Xiao Yu told You Yi Ge he needed to go home and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow afternoon.

You Yi Ge was instantly disappointed—he had planned to spend this weekend soaking in hot springs with Yi Xiao Yu, but now that was ruined.

Watching Yi Xiao Yu, standing by the sofa, tidying his tie and preparing to leave, Boss You couldn’t help but say, “Why don’t I go with you...”

“My father doesn’t know I’m married,” Yi Xiao Yu interrupted coolly, knowing what You Yi Ge was about to say. “And I don’t want him to know.”

You Yi Ge wasn’t particularly clever, but after two years living with Yi Xiao Yu, he could sense from their phone conversations that Yi Xiao Yu’s relationship with his family was strained.

You Yi Ge sat silently on the sofa, Shallot wagging his tail and sitting obediently by his side, panting and licking You Yi Ge’s hand until he absentmindedly patted its head.

Pulling a long face, You Yi Ge sighed dramatically to Shallot, “Xiao Yu doesn’t want us anymore—it’s just the two of us this weekend.”

Shallot howled in response.

Yi Xiao Yu glanced at You Yi Ge’s dejected expression and chuckled, then sat beside him after fixing his tie. “Are you angry?”

Hearing Yi Xiao Yu’s cautious, soothing tone, You Yi Ge felt a surge of stubborn, masculine pride. He kept rubbing Shallot’s head, ignoring Yi Xiao Yu.

“Fatty,” Yi Xiao Yu nudged You Yi Ge gently with his elbow, “Don’t sulk. Next year, I’ll take you to meet my friends and family. And you can take me to meet your parents too—how about that?”

The gentler the comfort, the more Boss You’s inner princess swelled. He turned his face toward the window, snorting in a way that sounded suspiciously like, “As if I believe you.”

Yi Xiao Yu’s expression darkened. He bent his elbow and jabbed Boss You hard in the side, making him gasp in pain and turn back, bewildered.

“You’re getting cocky now,” Yi Xiao Yu glared at him. Boss You immediately dropped the attitude, patting Yi Xiao Yu’s hand with a sheepish grin, “Alright, alright, whatever you say.”

Yi Xiao Yu stood up impassively and checked the time on his watch. “It’s getting late, I have to go. Don’t forget to feed Shallot.”

You Yi Ge escorted Yi Xiao Yu downstairs, giving him a tight hug and several kisses. “Come back early tomorrow afternoon.”

After getting in the car, Yi Xiao Yu leaned out and pointed at You Yi Ge, “I’ll call the landline at ten-thirty tonight. If you don’t answer, that means you’re spending the night out, and you might as well never come home again.”

“Absolutely, absolutely,” Boss You nodded rapidly.

Seeing You Yi Ge nodding like a bobblehead, Yi Xiao Yu’s heart softened. He beckoned him over, and You Yi Ge, along with Shallot, hurried over.

Bending down, You Yi Ge met Yi Xiao Yu’s head as it leaned out the window, and received a deep, affectionate kiss.

Even after Yi Xiao Yu drove off, You Yi Ge licked his lips in satisfaction.

“Come on, Shallot. Dad’s taking you to the hot springs.”

“Woof!”

(Yawn Bro: Now the plot begins. Usually it’s bitter before sweet, but this time the story’s reversed. Ladies, be patient.)