Chapter Forty-Four

When Wen Ming sent a message to Yi Xiaoyu, Yi Xiaoyu was still in the bedroom changing clothes. At that moment, Boss You had just finished pouring dog food for Scallion and walked over to the dining table, where he immediately noticed the message notification from Wen Ming.

Just as You Yi was about to open it, Yi Xiaoyu emerged from the bedroom. He hurriedly withdrew his hand and turned away nonchalantly. After walking a short distance, he glanced back to see Yi Xiaoyu picking up his phone from the table, getting ready to leave.

"Fatty, I might be back very late tonight," Yi Xiaoyu said at the door, turning to Boss You. "Don't forget to feed Scallion and Tangyuan."

"Alright," Boss You nodded, but his eyes were fixed on Yi Xiaoyu's phone, pondering over what exactly Wen Ming had sent him.

That pretty boy—it was about time he got taught a lesson.

Yi Xiaoyu only saw Wen Ming's message after getting into the car. He hesitated for a moment before replying, agreeing to meet at seven that evening.

Yi Xiaoyu was already feeling rather worn out. Morale at the company was unstable, and the bank, having seemingly caught wind of the situation, was also putting pressure on him.

When Wen Ming saw Yi Xiaoyu, his first words were, "You've lost weight."

Yi Xiaoyu wasted no time with sentimentalities. "You said in your message that you had a way to help me. What is it?"

"I can use my company as collateral to guarantee your project goes ahead smoothly," Wen Ming replied.

Yi Xiaoyu looked at Wen Ming in astonishment. "You don’t even know exactly what's happened on my end. Aren’t you afraid you’ll lose everything?"

"It doesn’t matter," Wen Ming said with a gentle laugh. "At worst, we can start over together."

Yi Xiaoyu dropped his gaze to the table. "You don’t have to do this. You know, no matter how much you give, we still..."

"I just want to help the person I love most in this world. Who could stand by and do nothing when the one they love is in trouble?"

Yi Xiaoyu opened his mouth, but in the end only managed a quiet, "Thank you." Wen Ming’s help would indeed resolve his most pressing difficulties.

"You probably don't know," Wen Ming said with a sudden, soft laugh, "today is my birthday."

"What?" Yi Xiaoyu’s face changed dramatically. He thought for a moment, realizing it really was Wen Ming’s birthday today. "I... I’ve been so busy I forgot. Happy birthday."

Wen Ming had done him such a huge favor—he should have prepared a gift.

"It’s alright, I know you’ve been busy with company matters," Wen Ming replied gently. "Tonight at eight, a few friends of mine are getting a private room to celebrate my birthday. Will you come?"

"Of course. After all you've done for me, how could I refuse?"

"And your partner..."

"This sort of thing—he’ll understand."

---

Yi Xiaoyu only realized he didn’t know a single person in the room when he arrived at the private suite.

"They’re all from my industry," Wen Ming introduced his friends to Yi Xiaoyu one by one. "This is..."

Meanwhile, Boss You had tracked Yi Xiaoyu’s phone through the tracker he’d installed and found the bar, but instead of going in right away, he sat in his car across the street, smoking and watching the bar’s entrance.

Halfway through, Boss You deliberately called Yi Xiaoyu to ask when he’d be home. Yi Xiaoyu told him he was at a business dinner and would be late.

Yi Xiaoyu hadn’t told Boss You the truth, fearing that if Boss You found out he was celebrating Wen Ming’s birthday, he would come charging in regardless of the consequences, ruining Wen Ming’s chance to help him.

He’d have to explain everything once he got home.

Boss You, hearing such a lie, dared not say anything, even worrying that Yi Xiaoyu would discover he was being followed. After hanging up, Boss You chain-smoked in frustration.

What could these two possibly have to discuss that required meeting in a bar?

It was a long time before Yi Xiaoyu finally emerged from the bar. Wen Ming’s friends, seemingly on purpose, left Wen Ming to Yi Xiaoyu, asking him to see Wen Ming home.

Yi Xiaoyu half-dragged the thoroughly drunk Wen Ming to his car, prepared to drive him back to his apartment.

"Wen Ming, where do you live?"

Wen Ming mumbled something unclear, then slumped back in his seat as if asleep.

Yi Xiaoyu simply took Wen Ming to his apartment. As soon as they entered, Wen Ming suddenly wrapped his arms around Yi Xiaoyu’s waist, pressing him against the door and kissing him forcefully.

Yi Xiaoyu turned his head to avoid him, but Wen Ming pressed on, kissing his neck and sucking hungrily, as if wishing he could swallow Yi Xiaoyu whole.

"You have no idea how much I love you..." Wen Ming’s voice was choked with emotion. "How much I want to be with you... You should have been mine."

"Wen Ming, you’re drunk." Yi Xiaoyu pushed him away forcefully and straightened his clothes. "Since you’re not as drunk as you seem, I’ll be going."

Suddenly, Wen Ming lunged forward again, hugging Yi Xiaoyu around the waist, and the two of them tumbled onto the soft carpet. Wen Ming kissed Yi Xiaoyu’s lips and neck with a kind of desperate ferocity, only to be brought to his senses by a sharp slap from Yi Xiaoyu.

Sobered up, Wen Ming collapsed onto Yi Xiaoyu’s chest like a child, sobbing, "I’m sorry... I shouldn’t have done that to you... but I couldn’t help myself... I’m sorry..."

"Wen Ming, let me go," Yi Xiaoyu said softly. "I should be heading back."

Wen Ming stood up, his face pale. Like a child guilty of mischief, he didn’t dare meet Yi Xiaoyu’s eyes. "Just now... I’m sorry."

Yi Xiaoyu lowered his head to straighten his clothes, finally sighing, "Whatever the case, I still need to thank you for your help."

At that moment, Boss You began banging furiously on the door from outside.

"Open up! Open the door!"

Hearing Boss You’s voice, Yi Xiaoyu’s face changed at once. With that kind of thinking, there was no way Fatty would be able to explain this situation clearly.

"Maybe you should hide," Wen Ming suggested.

"No need," Yi Xiaoyu said as he went to open the door. "He’s obviously tracked me down here."

The moment the door opened, Boss You glared fiercely at the two men inside.

"Wen Ming was drunk, so I brought him back. How did you find this place?"

Meeting Yi Xiaoyu’s candid gaze, Boss You’s anger seemed to melt away like a cold rain. He glanced at Wen Ming, then at Yi Xiaoyu, telling himself over and over that he must not let that pretty boy drive a wedge between him and his partner—otherwise, he’d be playing right into Wen Ming’s hands.

Boss You took a deep breath. "I’m here to take you home."

Yi Xiaoyu turned to say goodbye to Wen Ming, then took Boss You’s hand and headed for the elevator.

Inside the elevator, Yi Xiaoyu noticed Boss You taking deep breaths and couldn’t help but laugh. "What’s wrong? Can’t catch your breath?"

Boss You replied in a low voice, "I’m trying to calm myself down. I’m afraid I’ll lose control."

"You still haven’t told me why you’re here," Yi Xiaoyu said.

Boss You pouted. "...I’m not even making a fuss about you taking that pretty boy home, and you’re questioning me?" He hesitated, then muttered, "And you even lied about being at a business dinner."

"You..." Yi Xiaoyu was at a loss for words, finally laughing, "Alright, alright, this one’s my fault." He moved closer, cupping Boss You’s cheeks in his hands. "You were so calm this time, Fatty—I’m really impressed."

Being held by his partner, Boss You was overjoyed. But when he caught sight of the hickey at the base of Yi Xiaoyu’s neck, it was as if he’d been struck by lightning.

"What’s wrong?" Yi Xiaoyu asked, smiling at Boss You’s sudden heavy breathing. "Out of breath again?"

Boss You tried desperately to calm himself, but the fire inside refused to die down. The instant the elevator doors opened, he shoved past Yi Xiaoyu and stormed out without a backward glance.