Chapter Fifty

After Yi Yu entered the restaurant, You Hanzhe noticed the troubled look on his face. He pressed his lips together, sat heavily across from Yi Yu, and sighed deeply after a long pause.

You Hanzhe first asked the waiter to serve the dishes, then placed the gift he had prepared in front of Yi Yu. “This is for you.”

Yi Yu’s gloomy eyes brightened as he picked up the black rectangular box, turning it over in his hands. “This is the first time you’ve ever given me a gift.”

“If you like it, I’ll prepare another one for our next meeting.”

“Really?”

You Hanzhe nodded. Seeing how much better Yi Yu seemed than before, he rarely curved his lips into a smile. “Really.”

Yi Yu’s interest was piqued. He lounged lazily in his chair, half-smiling at the elegantly dressed, cold-faced man before him. “Why are you so good to me?”

You Hanzhe was pouring red wine into a tall glass. Hearing Yi Yu’s question, his movements paused noticeably. He looked up at Yi Yu and replied calmly, “Being with you makes me feel comfortable.”

Yi Yu arched an eyebrow. “You mean in bed?”

“Not just in bed.”

Yi Yu leaned forward, reaching out to clasp You Hanzhe’s hand on the table, laughing softly. “Have you fallen for me?”

You Hanzhe gazed at their entwined hands, hesitating not at all. “I suppose what I feel is what people call liking someone.”

“What kind of feeling?”

“It’s indescribable.”

“Ugh... Tch! What kind of answer is that?”

Yi Yu’s mood improved without him realizing it. The frustration he had accumulated at his brother’s place seemed to dissipate as he looked at the elegant man before him.

Yi Yu drank a little wine, his cheeks flushed, eyes narrowing as he sized up the man in front of him, who was methodically slicing the steak on his plate.

Whenever You Hanzhe dressed up, he gave Yi Yu a sense of being untouched by storms. His figure was tall and lean; in any situation, his posture was never casual. He sat deliberately upright, his waist elongated in graceful, taut lines. Yi Yu couldn’t help but let his gaze linger there, his mind drifting toward scenes not fit for polite conversation.

“You still haven’t told me why you’re feeling unwell.”

Yi Yu swirled the wine in his glass, almost slumping onto the table. “What’s the point in telling you?”

You Hanzhe wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I’ll be leaving soon. Before we part ways, you can ask me for one favor. As long as I can do it, I—”

“Wait.” Yi Yu suddenly straightened, frowning as he stared at You Hanzhe. “You’re leaving? Where to?”

“I live in **. I only came here to take care of some matters. Once I’m done, I’ll naturally go back.” After a pause, You Hanzhe continued, “My time in V City has already exceeded my expectations by nearly half a month.”

Yi Yu lowered his head and laughed ruefully. “That’s true. We’re just playing a game that we both agreed to, one that was always destined to end.”

You Hanzhe saw the sadness in his expression and seemed about to offer comfort, but what came out instead was, “I’m very satisfied with your service.”

Yi Yu let out a cold laugh. “Do you really think I’m here to sell myself?”

You Hanzhe raised his eyebrows, seemingly puzzled by Yi Yu’s words, but didn’t ask. He took out his checkbook and scribbled a few lines, then slid the check across the table to Yi Yu. “With this money, even if you leave me, you’ll be set for the rest of your life…”

“Thanks!” Yi Yu snatched the check, glancing at the amount with surprise. “Wow! I never knew I was worth so much!”

He could hardly believe it. He’d long suspected You Hanzhe wasn’t an ordinary man, but even billionaires weren’t necessarily so generous with their lovers.

He accepted the money without qualms, knowing the other was just having fun. Yi Yu had no interest in pretending to be some saint who scorned money.

“Thanks.” Yi Yu slipped the check into his pocket.

“As long as you like it.” You Hanzhe poured more wine for him, his voice gentle. “Tonight, why not spend the night at my place?”

The invitation could not have been more direct—but Yi Yu didn’t respond with his usual enthusiasm. Instead, he replied coolly, “Since you’re leaving soon, let’s end it here. Consider this meal my send-off for you.”

You Hanzhe’s hand paused mid-pour as he looked at Yi Yu. “You could stay with me until the day I leave. I’ll pay you as promised.”

Suddenly Yi Yu felt a tightness in his chest. He tugged at his tie, drained his glass in one go, then grabbed a napkin and wiped his mouth carelessly.

“No need. I’m done serving you. You can find whoever you like. That check—let’s just call it a lump sum for the time you kept me. Don’t look for me again.” With that, Yi Yu stood and headed for the restaurant’s exit.

You Hanzhe got up. “Wait.”

Yi Yu stormed to the door, only to be blocked by You Hanzhe’s two bodyguards.

“Mr. Yi, Mr. You is calling for you.”

“Get out of my way!” Yi Yu wasn’t even sure where his anger was coming from—he just wanted to get as far from that man as possible.

Everything felt rotten, as if nothing was going his way!

He tried to push past them, but the bodyguards twisted his arms and pinned him until You Hanzhe came to the door and gestured for them to release him. “Let him go.”

“You forgot this.” You Hanzhe walked over and handed Yi Yu the gift box, speaking softly. “You’ve been drinking. I don’t feel comfortable letting you go alone. I’ll take you home.”

In the end, Yi Yu got into You Hanzhe’s car.

When they arrived at the apartment building, Yi Yu suddenly wrapped an arm around You Hanzhe’s waist, pressed his other hand to the back of You Hanzhe’s head, and kissed him fiercely, almost desperately.

You Hanzhe’s body was startled at first, but he didn’t resist. Soon, he followed Yi Yu’s lead, his hands coming to rest on Yi Yu’s waist.

Yi Yu kissed him wildly, then abruptly let go and stepped out of the car.

You Hanzhe sat frozen in the car, watching Yi Yu disappear into the night, a wave of emptiness rising in his heart.

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Across the glass table in the living room, Boss You and Yi Xiaoyu faced off. The divorce agreement lay on the table; Yi Xiaoyu had already signed, only Boss You’s signature was missing.

Boss You clenched his teeth, staring at the papers for ages, making no move to sign.

“Once you sign, you’ll be free,” Yi Xiaoyu said. “You won’t have to worry about me catching you with prostitutes anymore.”

Boss You ground his teeth. “Since I married you, have I ever hired anyone? That one time I didn’t even get to enjoy it—you broke a rib!”

“So once you sign, you won’t have to hold back anymore. You can go whoring all you want and no one can stop you.”

Boss You couldn’t find words. All the apologies, tears, and shouting had failed—Yi Xiaoyu was determined to cut ties.

Suddenly, Boss You slapped the table and shouted, “I bet you just want to be with that pretty boy!”

“Are you signing or not?”

“All that talk about being disappointed in me, about me lying to you—didn’t I give you the money I earned? You just want an excuse to divorce me! Are you dying to get your marriage certificate with that pretty boy?”

“Are you signing or not?”

“Don’t think I don’t dare. I’ll tell you, my net worth would scare you. Once I sign, the one who’ll regret it is you!”

“Fine, I can’t wait for you to make me regret it! Sign!”

Boss You took a deep breath, picked up the pen, then suddenly put it down and shouted again, “Do you know how many people want to sleep with me? You think I’ve been pestering you because no one else wants me? Let me tell you, Yi Xiaoyu, if I sign today, tomorrow I’ll marry a little stunner!”

“Then sign, damn it!”

“The little stunner I find will be not only prettier, but younger, and even better in bed than you! You think I care about you? Being raised like a scallion for so long—I’ve had enough!”

From nearby, Scallion called out suddenly.

Yi Xiaoyu felt his head was about to explode. “Are you signing or not?”

Boss You’s voice rose. “You think I don’t dare?!”

Yi Xiaoyu slapped the table. “I’ll take it as you don’t dare.”

Suddenly, Boss You deflated like a punctured balloon. After a long pause, he murmured, “Fine. I don’t dare.”