Chapter Twenty-Six

In the days that followed, Yi Xiaoyu didn’t return home. A string of social engagements kept him too occupied to dwell on how to resolve the rift between himself and You Yige. He had already apologized and shown his vulnerability; all that remained was to see how You Yige would respond.

For now, Yi Xiaoyu’s only wish was to finalize the transfer of the plot of land he had set his sights on before the New Year. Thanks to persistent effort, things were finally taking shape. That night, he dined with the branch president of V City Bank, and the funding issue was essentially resolved.

As the driver delivered him back to the hotel, exhaustion weighed heavily on Yi Xiaoyu. He had spent days running around, calling in every favor he could to secure a meeting with the influential bank president. What he didn’t realize was that his success in securing such a substantial loan was largely due to someone else’s intervention.

That someone was Boss You.

Of course, Boss You had no intention of letting his spouse know the role he had played. He understood that Yi Xiaoyu was proud and fiercely self-reliant. Telling him that the matter had only been resolved thanks to his own help would have been a crushing blow to Yi Xiaoyu’s ego. It was better to let him believe it was his own efforts that saw him through.

Most importantly, Boss You didn’t want Yi Xiaoyu to know his true identity. When they married, Boss You had lied, claiming to have been adopted and raised by foster parents in another city—ordinary people, with whom he had little emotional connection, and whom he only supported financially from afar.

He had told his story so convincingly that, after two years together, he was keenly aware that nothing angered Yi Xiaoyu more than being lied to—and he’d been lying for two years already.

So Boss You decided to keep up the pretense. After all, he hadn’t been in touch with the old man overseas for years and didn’t expect to inherit a penny from him.

With the problem resolved, Boss You assumed his spouse must be in a decent mood and decided to make the first move toward reconciliation. On his way to the hotel, You Yige received a call from You Hanzhe, inviting him out to dinner.

You Yige had no intention of going. He and his genius, emotionally clueless elder brother shared no common ground. He planned to give a half-hearted agreement and then simply not show up. But as soon as he stepped outside, he saw seven or eight black cars parked downstairs, each with a black-clad, sunglasses-wearing bodyguard at its side—a scene straight out of a crime syndicate.

The foremost man spotted him immediately and approached with deference. “Second Young Master, President You requests your presence.”

Boss You felt a headache coming on. His family wielded influence on both sides of the law in Europe, but this spectacle was pure overkill.

“Another day!” Boss You said through gritted teeth, skirting the man and heading for his own car. Tonight, he needed to apologize to his spouse—maybe even stop by the mall for a small gift. He had no time to listen to his bespectacled brother’s two-hour lecture.

The bodyguard didn’t waste words, simply relaying You Hanzhe’s instructions: “Then we’ll just have to escort you there.” At his signal, the burly men by the cars closed in, forming a circle around Boss You.

Grinding his teeth in frustration, Boss You remembered why he hated dealing with his brother. You Hanzhe was a man of few words and iron will, whose forcefulness was always cloaked in impeccable manners—outclassing any business elite by a wide margin.

When Boss You finally arrived at the restaurant, You Hanzhe began to order.

He wore a casual brown plaid suit over a gray cardigan, his long legs crossed elegantly. Broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, he was the very picture of masculine composure in his thirties, his physique and complexion defying his age.

Sliding a stack of documents across the table, You Hanzhe said calmly, “Everything’s been arranged. The day after tomorrow, you can report directly to the company.”

“Isn’t that a little too fast? How long has it even been?”

“If you’d cooperated from the start, it would have been faster.”

“Can’t we—”

“There’s no room for negotiation,” You Hanzhe replied, his face expressionless. “The day after tomorrow, you can go yourself—or I’ll have someone take you.”

“All right, all right. Just tell me one thing: when are you leaving V City?”

“Half a month after you start work.”

“That long?” Boss You’s head ached just thinking about the coming days. “Why are you staying here? The old man needs you. His business needs you.”

“Don’t concern yourself with Father. Just take care of your own affairs.” You Hanzhe began to place food on Boss You’s plate. “Eat. This restaurant’s Chinese food is excellent—I ordered all your old favorites.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Then we’ll discuss your company for an hour. Maybe you’ll be hungry then.”

“...Just be quiet. I’ll eat.”

You Hanzhe didn’t eat much himself, patiently serving Boss You and occasionally asking when he’d visit their father.

Small talk wasn’t beyond Boss You, and he knew just how to strike a nerve.

“Do you still not have a partner? You’re over thirty—aren’t you worried? It’s one thing not to have anyone, but you could at least try dating! You look like a model and have more money than you could ever spend—why are you leaving the women to the losers?”

Boss You asked these questions deliberately, hoping to provoke You Hanzhe, but his brother remained unruffled. He simply poured a cup of hot tea and placed it by Boss You’s hand, replying in all seriousness, “Slow down. Don’t choke.”

“...”

(Yawning Brother: Who could possibly resist the charm of a big brother like this? This is exactly the kind of man who’s best when... well, you know...)