Chapter Forty-One

It was inevitable to deal with all sorts of relatives during the New Year. Most members of the Yi family were in business, though these were all small enterprises. The only ones with remarkable scale and efficiency were Yi Dongjun and his son, Yi Xiaoyu.

Yi Xiaoyu often lent a hand to his mother’s side of the family with business matters. As for his father’s relatives, whenever they ran into trouble and came to him, Yi Xiaoyu would always pass everything on to his father. The amount of fatherly affection he held for Yi Dongjun was just enough to maintain their present, seemingly harmonious relationship.

Yi Xiaoyu’s annual visits home were always brief. Usually, after the whole family gathered for a meal at a hotel, he would retreat to stay there, devoting the remainder of his time to reunions with old friends or classmates.

The liveliest event each year was always the class reunion, and this year was no exception.

At the gathering, Li Youchen deliberately gave up his seat to Wen Ming. Sitting next to him, Yi Xiaoyu paid little heed, but the table of old classmates couldn’t help but tease him and Wen Ming.

To them, Yi Xiaoyu and Wen Ming were still regarded as a couple in the throes of love.

Wen Ming spoke ambiguously, neither confirming nor denying any romantic involvement with Yi Xiaoyu. Sitting by his side, he patiently poured wine for Yi Xiaoyu, displaying impeccable manners.

Yi Xiaoyu, of course, knew what Wen Ming was thinking. No matter how much love he might still bear for himself, what weighed heavier was perhaps Wen Ming’s unwillingness to accept that Yi Xiaoyu had chosen You Yige and no longer loved him.

“It’s all in the past. If you keep joking like this, how am I supposed to introduce my beloved to everyone?” Yi Xiaoyu said with a gentle laugh, causing the color to drain from every face present.

Li Youchen had previously heard Yi Xiaoyu mention it, but he’d never quite believed that Yi Xiaoyu could remain unmoved when Wen Ming was standing right before him. He remembered too vividly the love that blossomed between Yi Xiaoyu and Wen Ming during university, and he was convinced that Wen Ming’s emotional intelligence was enough to win Yi Xiaoyu back. But now, hearing Yi Xiaoyu’s words, Li Youchen finally understood—Yi Xiaoyu had truly made up his mind not to return to the past with Wen Ming.

That was just the kind of person Yi Xiaoyu was: when he loved, he did so without reservation; but once he let go, no matter how desperately one tried to win him back, he would never look back.

Li Youchen quickly steered the conversation away, changing the topic so swiftly that no one had the chance to ask who this beloved of Yi Xiaoyu’s might be.

An awkward breeze seemed to pass, but soon the table was lively as ever. After a year apart, there was no shortage of topics among old friends, and they quickly launched into another animated discussion.

Partway through, Yi Xiaoyu excused himself to use the restroom.

As he washed his hands, he happened to catch a glimpse in the mirror of something behind him—a figure hidden behind a porcelain-white wall, just an eye peeking out, secretly watching him.

Yi Xiaoyu frowned, pretending to bow his head and continue washing, while his mind raced… It was all too familiar, as if…

Suddenly struck by a thought, Yi Xiaoyu swiftly pulled out his phone and dialed a number. Within seconds, a familiar ringtone sounded from behind the wall, along with a startled exclamation from a man.

Yi Xiaoyu ended the call and immediately gave chase. You Yige hadn’t run far before Yi Xiaoyu’s shout—“You fat bastard, stop right there!”—froze him in his tracks.

Yi Xiaoyu strode up, staring at him in disbelief. You Yige tried to curry favor with a sheepish grin and a blink. “What a coincidence, Xiaoyu. Who would’ve thought we’d run into each other here—”

“Run into your head!” Yi Xiaoyu snapped. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me? And now you’re stalking me!”

Boss You hastily grabbed Yi Xiaoyu’s hand. “Don’t be mad, darling. I was just worried and wanted to check on you. I only arrived this morning and didn’t show my face because I was afraid you’d be upset.”

Of course, Boss You didn’t dare admit that he’d come after seeing the photo Yi Yu sent him, worried his darling might be secretly meeting his first love behind his back.

Yi Xiaoyu squinted at him. “You didn’t even call, just sneaked after me. Fatty, are you suspicious of me…”

“I swear to heaven, I am not!” Boss You interrupted earnestly. “My love for you is heaven and earth as witness, my trust in you as constant as the sun and moon—”

“Alright, alright.” Yi Xiaoyu interrupted with a laugh. “Look how nervous you are.”

Boss You wrapped an arm around his waist, aggrieved. “It’s all because of you—so serious all of a sudden. Be gentle with your husband from now on, alright?”

“Well, if it isn’t Mr. You.”

At the sound of the voice, both Yi Xiaoyu and You Yige turned in unison. Wen Ming approached, smiling.

“Since you’re here, why not join us?” Wen Ming invited with perfect poise. “Xiaoyu’s classmates are all curious to see just what sort of outstanding man his beloved is. Mr. You, would you mind joining us?”

No matter how he heard it, Boss You found these words barbed, laced with all kinds of subtle mockery. He looked toward Yi Xiaoyu, as if seeking his opinion.

No matter what, he couldn’t afford to start a scene with his darling because of this pretty boy, so in all things, he would defer to Xiaoyu.

“You should head back to the hotel first,” Yi Xiaoyu said, patting his shoulder. “I’ll come find you as soon as I’m done here.”

Boss You seemed a bit disappointed but nodded obediently. “Alright. Call me when you’re done.”

“Xiaoyu, aren’t you being a bit too harsh on Mr. You?” Wen Ming joked. “Don’t worry, aside from me, the others don’t know Mr. You well—so long as he behaves a bit more genteelly, they won’t mock his manners or—”

“Wen Ming!” Yi Xiaoyu suddenly cut him off, his face growing cold. “A sense of superiority is nothing to be proud of.”

Wen Ming gave a soft laugh. Looking at the two men standing side by side, he felt a surge of resentment and jealousy, though his smile remained gentle. “Just joking, just joking. I really don’t want to get beaten up again—Mr. You’s fists are more than I can handle.”

Boss You was already itching for a fight, but he restrained himself for Yi Xiaoyu’s sake. He moved toward Wen Ming; Yi Xiaoyu tried to hold him back, but Boss You gave him a reassuring glance and whispered, “I won’t hit him. Just a word.”

Boss You stopped in front of Wen Ming, curled his lips in a meaningful smile, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Believe it or not, I’ll make sure you can’t afford to wear that suit.”

Expressionless, Wen Ming stared back at him, silent, though he was slightly shaken by the chill in Boss You’s words.

Boss You patted Wen Ming’s shoulder and added with a laugh, “When my darling can no longer hold me back, I’ll settle our accounts in the most uncouth way possible. Good luck, buddy.”

With that, Boss You turned and left. Passing by Yi Xiaoyu, he simply said, “I’m going,” and walked out of the hotel without looking back.

(YawnBro: Tomorrow I’ll post a mega update—yes, I’ll try to add as much as possible~)