Chapter Fifty-One

The two of them remained locked in confrontation from daylight until nightfall. On the divorce agreement, there was still only Yi Xiaoyu's signature. Though Old Yu had admitted defeat, Yi Xiaoyu's expression never softened; his attitude remained resolute, insisting that Yu must sign the agreement today, no matter what.

Driven to desperation, Old Yu finally knelt before Yi Xiaoyu with a pitiful look, lips pressed tight, and whispered, "Xiaoyu, just hit me. Hit me until you're exhausted."

Yi Xiaoyu was unmoved, but he understood that continuing this standoff would be fruitless. So, as soon as Yu knelt, Yi Xiaoyu stood up and dragged the two large suitcases by the sofa toward the door.

Staggering to his feet, Old Yu saw that Yi Xiaoyu had already pushed the suitcases out into the hallway. "Honey, what are you doing?" Old Yu hurriedly chased after them, but as soon as his feet crossed the threshold, Yi Xiaoyu slammed the door shut behind him.

"Hey, hey! Xiaoyu!" Old Yu pounded on the door, shouting, "Open up! I already said I was wrong! I swear I won't do it again! Open the door, honey!" After a long silence, he wailed, "My wallet and phone are still inside!"

Not long after his words faded, the door opened a crack. Yi Xiaoyu, his face cold, tossed Yu his wallet and phone.

Old Yu seized the opportunity to squeeze through the gap, but the security chain was still in place; the opening was far too narrow for his broad frame. He struggled for ages, only succeeding in numbing half his arm with the effort.

Yi Xiaoyu gazed at Yu's foolish and comical antics and finally spoke, "Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look right now?"

"Ridiculous or not, I'm still your man," Yu kept forcing himself in, grumbling, "You were the one who seduced me back then, sweet-talking me into your arms, and now you want to cast me aside when you're bored? I'm the partner who stuck by you through thick and thin! Divorce? You ruthless traitor, don't even think about it!"

Yi Xiaoyu's face darkened. "You can sign the divorce papers whenever you like. As far as I'm concerned, I'm already divorced and single. From now on, this is my home. Go back to your luxury villa. You walk your path, I'll walk mine. If you come looking for me again, I'll take it as you coming to sign the divorce agreement."

With that, Yi Xiaoyu closed the door. A sour ache welled up in Yu's eyes as he looked at his two suitcases lying on the ground, a wave of desolation sweeping over him.

Old Yu tilted his head back, took a deep breath to force his tears away, then suddenly kicked the door hard. "Don't think I can't live without you! Let me tell you, tonight I'm going out to sleep with someone!"

Nothing stirred inside. So Old Yu raised his voice and shouted, "I'm serious, I'm really going to do it!"

Thirty seconds passed, and Old Yu yelled again, "If you don't open up, we're really finished!"

Another thirty seconds later, "You'd better think carefully! Don't regret it when I'm gone!"

"I've given you your chance!"

"Open the door!"

"Do you believe I'll book myself a handsome boy tonight?"

"I mean what I say!"

"You—"

Suddenly, the door swung open, and a basin of cold water splashed over Old Yu, soaking him to the bone.

"Why are you howling?" Yi Xiaoyu's face was expressionless, utterly calm. "Whatever you do tonight, even if you drop dead in bed, it's none of my concern. If you keep making a racket at my door, I'll call the police!"

With a bang, Yi Xiaoyu shut the door!

It took Old Yu a long moment to recover. He kicked the door twice and roared, "Fine, let's divorce! We'll see who's the one regretting it in the end!"

After his outburst, Old Yu squatted down, grabbed a suitcase in each arm, and left in a huff.

Yi Xiaoyu, after closing the door, turned to feed Brother Scallion.

Outside, all was quiet; the world seemed to plunge into silence. Yi Xiaoyu stroked Brother Scallion's furry head, his expression complex.

"Brother Scallion, from now on, I'll take you out for walks."

At last, he could grant himself a rare, much-needed holiday. Once this matter faded from his heart, he would still be the sharp, formidable Yi Xiaoyu of the business world. At worst, he would fight for a few more years; whatever he'd lost, he'd reclaim someday.

Tangyuan quietly padded to Yi Xiaoyu's feet, extending a tiny pink tongue to lick his fingers. Yi Xiaoyu turned to fetch a carton of milk and poured it into Tangyuan's small bowl, then squatted down to watch Tangyuan drink.

Tangyuan drank with delicate grace, a stark contrast to Brother Scallion's bold, hearty eating style.

After finishing his meal, Brother Scallion lay down, resting his chin on his front paws, his dark eyes fixed on the fluffy white ball before him, tail swaying with delight.

When Tangyuan finished the milk, drops clung to his mouth. Brother Scallion immediately craned his neck to gently lick the milk clean from Tangyuan's lips. Tangyuan closed his eyes, and even Yi Xiaoyu could tell from his face that he was enjoying himself.

Yi Xiaoyu sat down on the carpet, the sofa behind him. Finally, he leaned back, gazing tiredly at the affectionate display between Brother Scallion and Tangyuan. A wave of sorrow swept through him—the sorrow of betrayal.

Yi Xiaoyu raised a hand to cover his eyes, mocking himself inwardly.

How foolish—two years, and he’d been played by two men until he was utterly battered and bruised. Utterly foolish.

...But at least it was clear now, wasn’t it?

(Yawn Bro: Only noticed the duplicate update after seeing someone’s comment on Weibo—phew~)